HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – A reservist in the 419th Fighter Wing was named Company Grade Officer of the Year for the State of Utah on May 15.
Capt. Mark Tappendorf was presented a trophy by Gov. Spencer Cox during Utah’s Servicemember of the Year awards, which took place in conjunction with the annual Armed Forces Day concert in Murray. Other service members from across the state and across military branches were honored that evening in various categories, including several Airmen from Hill AFB.
Tappendorf was the first Air Force Reserve pilot to attend F-35 weapons school, a doctorate-level training program. He has employed every weapon in the F-35 arsenal, and as a result of his advanced joint warfare training, has led more than 36 complex missions against advanced near-peer threats.
Tappendorf was also named the 419th FW’s Company Grade Officer of the Year for the past two years.