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HQ RIO announces 2025 IR of the Year Awards

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  • By Tech. Sgt. Cierra Mason
BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Headquarters Readiness and Integration Organization recently announced its 2025 Individual Reservists of the Year awards for non-commissioned officer, senior non-commissioned officer, and company and field grade officer categories.  

“We reviewed more than 55 nomination packages this year. They were all amazing and truly reflective of all the hard work being performed in the Reserve,” said Lt. Col. Adriane Burgess, HQ RIO IR Advisory Board president. “This year’s winners represent the best IR Citizen Airmen, and we are extremely proud of their contributions to their units and to the Air Force overall.” 

HQ RIO is proud to announce the following Airmen 2025 IROY winners: 

Staff Sgt. Christian Bond, 31st Fighter Wing Military Justice Paralegal, Aviano Air Base, Italy. 

Bond filled a critical technical sergeant vacancy as a senior airman for one month to accelerate appellate adjudication. He processed 34 records of trial totaling more than 70,000 pages for higher-level review, including one Supreme Court of the United States case. He drafted 35 court orders and expedited more than 220 motions, safeguarding the integrity of military justice systems and ensuring timely and accurate court decisions. 

Additionally, Bond commanded his local Civil Air Patrol squadron leading 130 cadets and adults across Italy and the National Capital Region. He escorted four members to Capitol Hill for National Legislative Day to engage with lawmakers and served as the National Capital Wing Cadet of the Year board member. 

HQ RIO has awarded him the title of the 2025 IR of the Year for the NCO category. 

Master Sgt. Dirk McGrane, 51st Operations Squadron, Wing Target, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.  

McGrane was awarded Pacific Air Forces, Air Reserve Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance SNCO of the year. He identified inefficient munitions assigned to 387 top-priority targets on the Korean theater war plan, directed reassessments, and delivered findings to Wing & Air Operations Center leaders. As a result, he drove the reallocation of 615 bombs worth $28 million to double F-16 strikes per mission and destroy the number one threat to 25 million civilians 30 hours faster. 

As the base heritage councilman, McGrane applied his intelligence expertise to unearth 122 classified records documenting 51st Fighter Wing historical activity, enabling publication of the wing’s first secret addition to its annual command history in 15 years. 

HQ RIO has awarded him the title of 2025 IR of the Year for the SNCO category. 

Capt. Adam Brautigam, 607th Air Operations Group, Senior Intelligence Duty Officer Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. 

Brautigam delivered high-level threat briefs to the Republic of Korea Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and two combatant commanders, resulting in continued partnership to construct more military assets to defend strategic objectives.  

Additionally, he completed a 36-credit hour master’s program in International Security with a 4.0 GPA, improving unit members’ knowledge of global threats and enhancing the organization’s alignment with United States Indonesian Pacific Command directives. 

HQ RIO has awarded him the title of 2025 IR of the Year for the CGO category. 

Lt. Col. James Bishop, 78th Mission Support Group, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the commander, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.  

Bishop successfully co-led a Chief of Staff of the Air Force-directed review of Air Force policy and processes governing physical fitness and body composition. He prepped CSAF briefings and shaped decisions on policy changes improving Airman readiness in line with the Secretary of War’s vision. 

Additionally, he co-wrote and edited more than 20 Congressional inquiries and mapped a way ahead to recognize a Navajo Code Talker, a Tuskegee Airman, and World War II 9th Bombardment Group crews with Distinguished Flying Crosses. 

HQ RIO has awarded him the title of 2025 IR of the Year for the FGO category. 

“Congratulations to all our 2025 IROY winners,” said Col. Timothy Lundberg, HQ RIO deputy commander. “Your outstanding achievements are a testament to your dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence. Your hard work and unwavering efforts have distinguished you and this recognition is well deserved for you all.”