Vermont Air National Guardsman Ryan Campbell Wins Top Air Force Photojournalism Award

BURLINGTON, VT. (05/17/2019) BURLINGTON, VT. (May 16, 2019) - Vermont Air National Guardsman Ryan Campbell has won first place for photojournalism in the annual Air Force Media Awards contest.

Campbell, who lives in Petersburg, N.Y. and works for the Division of Military and Naval Affairs in Latham, N.Y., and was the Air National Guard winner, was selected for the award in a competition involving members of the Air Force Reserve and the active duty Air Force.

He was recognized for work he did while serving with the public affairs section of the New York Air National Guard's 107th Attack Wing, which is based at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. Campbell currently serves as a technical sergeant in the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing.

The winner in the photojournalism category was evaluated based on the quality of photographs and the story that goes with it.

His wining story was about members of the New York Army National Guard's 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment from Buffalo, N.Y., conducting a winter reconnaissance helicopter insertion exercise from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter flown by Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment from Rochester, N.Y., in Java Center, N.Y.

The yearly competition recognizes the work of broadcasters, graphic designers, journalists and photographers from the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and active duty. The competition culminates with winners from the three components competing for overall top honors.

As a public affairs specialist, Campbell is responsible for producing written and photographic coverage of Airmen and aircraft assigned to the 158th FW.

Campbell joined the West Virginia Army National Guard in 2005 and originally served as an artilleryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment. He transferred to the New York Army National Guard's 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment in 2009.

He began working in public affairs when he transferred to the New York Air National Guard's 107th Attack Wing in 2014. He then began documenting operations across the United States, including joint-force operations, training missions and humanitarian missions.

In 2016 he supported the New York Air National Guard's 107th Civil Engineer Squadron from Niagara Falls during a deployment to Albania where they renovated Soviet-era facilities including a clinic and school. In May of 2019 Campbell transferred to the 158th FW.

His photographs and stories have been used by a number of military websites and publications including the Air Force Times, Army Times, Military Officer Magazine, Airman Magazine and others.

Getting successful photo stories of military action involves knowing what is going to happen and visualizing what you want to capture, Campbell explained. Years spent shooting on film influences the way he takes photographs, Campbell added.

He is a graduate of the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Maryland. His military awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Army Overseas Service Ribbon.