Knight chosen as Hughes Award recipient

  • Published
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
Tinker Air Force Base, Okla --  Amid roaring applause, Staff Sgt. Courtney Knight (formerly Penn) stepped forward earlier this month to become the eighth recipient of the 507th Air Refueling Wing’s Billy
Hughes Award. 

The Hughes Memorial Award for Exemplary Enlisted Service is presented annually to the enlisted member of the 507th Air Refueling Wing or 513th Air Control Group whose duty performance and everyday conduct have best exemplified the Air Force core values of “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.” 

The Hughes award was established to commemorate the life of Air Force Reservist Technical Sergeant Billy Lee Hughes. Sergeant Hughes died in active service at Tinker Air Force Base on July 12, 1992, while serving as a supervisory aircraft maintenance technician of the 507th Tactical Fighter Group. 

Being recognized for her hard work and effort is not unusual for Sergeant Knight, who previously has been recognized as NCO of the quarter as well as having received recognition from her fellow reservists in the 507th Maintenance Squadron. 

While the award was presented, Sergeant Knight was praised for her commitment to support others in her position as information manager. From ensuring the timely coordination of squadron members training requirements and Unit Training Assembly System pay dates were met to her efforts to guarantee the timely promotion of squadron
members, Sergeant Knight was lauded as a member who always put others first. 

That caring commitment also extends to her personal life as seen by her involvement as a co-facilitator in the Calm Waters program, an organization which supports children and parents affected by death and divorce. She is a tutor with the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City and a children church leader at the St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. She is also pursuing her educational goals having completed a Bachelors and Masters Degree, two Community College of the Air Force Associate degrees and is currently working to receive her Licensed Professional Counselor credentials.