Four decades ago, a tradition was begun in the Rocky Mountains that had a global impact.
Check that: Its impact wasn’t limited to planet Earth.
We’re talking about the Hartinger Award, given every year since 1984 for outstanding achievement in the military space mission of the United States. This prestigious award is named for General James V. Hartinger, the first recipient, the first Commander of US Air Force Space Command, and a true pioneer who saw the potential of a military presence in space when the rest of the world saw it as just a fantasy.
In the forty years since, the list of recipients of the Hartinger Award has swelled with visionaries and leaders who have secured the nation—and the planet—for freedom in the space domain. Generals, Air Force Secretaries, governmental leaders—exceptional men and women whom history will
Now, Rocky Mountain NDIA members can nominate the 43rd Hartinger Award recipient. All chapter members are eligible to make nominations, and nominations are not limited to members of the military, government or any other constituency. The Award will be presented at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Ball, 29 May 26, at the Doubletree Hotel in Colorado Springs.
The only requirement is unparalleled excellence.
Submit electronic nominations (500 words or less) by 23 December ’25 to joseph.kahoe@bowhead.com
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General James V. Hartinger Award Recipients
Year/Recipient
1984 James V. Hartinger, Gen, USAF
1985 Carl N. Beer, Maj Gen, USAF
1986 Bruce K. Brown, Lt Gen, USAF
1987 James A. Abrahamson, Lt Gen, USAF
1988 Edward C. Aldrich, Jr., SECAF
1989 John L. Piotrowski, Gen, USAF
1990 Donald J. Kutyna, Gen, USAF
1991 Colin L. Powell, GEN, USA
1992 Thomas S. Moorman, Lt Gen, USAF
1993 Merrill A. McPeak, Gen, USAF
1994 Charles A. Horner, Gen, USAF
1995 Roger D. DeKok, Maj Gen, USAF
1996 Joseph W. Ashy, Gen, USAF
1997 Jeffrey K. Harris, Assist. SECAF and Director of NRO
1998 Howell M. Estes, III, Gen, USAF
1999 Dr. Sheila E. Widnall, SECAF
2000 Richard B. Myers, Gen, USAF
2001 Keith R. Hall, Director, NRO
2002 Ralph E. Eberhart, Gen USAF
2003 Peter B. Teets, Undersecretary USAF & Director NRO
2004 Lance W. Lord, Gen, USAF
2005 T. Michael Moseley, Gen, USAF
2006 Michael W. Wynn, SECAF
2007 Michael A. Hamel, Lt Gen, USAF
2008 William L. Shelton, Gen, USAF
2009 C. Robert Kehler, Gen, USAF
2010 G. Wesley Clark, Maj Gen (Ret), USAF
2011 Kevin P. Chilton, Gen, USAF
2012 Bruce A. Carlson, Gen (Ret) USAF and Director of NRO
2013 Charles P. Zimkas, Jr., CMSgt (Ret), USAF
2014 Susan J. Helms, Lt Gen (Ret), USAF
2015 John E. Hyten, Gen, USAF
2016 Ellen M. Pawlikowsk, Gen, USAF
2017 John W. “Jay” Raymond, Gen, USAF
2018 David L. Goldfein, Gen, USAF
2019 Andrew D. Cox, SES
2020 John F. Thompson, Lt Gen, USAF
2021 David D. Thompson, Gen, USSF
2022 Stephen N. Whiting, Lt Gen, USSF
2023 James Dickinson, Gen, USSF
2024 John E. Shaw, Lt Gen (Ret), USSF
2025 Chance Saltzman, Gen, USSF
