Tech. Sgt. Kailey DeLage has been selected as one of the Air Force’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2026, according to a report published August 18. DeLage, a Clinical Services Administration noncommissioned officer in charge at the 320th Correctional and Rehabilitation Squadron at Joint Base Lindsey Graham, South Carolina, received the honor for her leadership, superior job performance, and community involvement.
DeLage's current role involves supporting the mental health clinic within a correctional facility. Her responsibilities include managing prisoner intake, records, and database management, as well as processing clinical service requests and providing input on housing, job assignments, and re-entry recommendations. She stated that much of her work happens behind the scenes to support the backbone of the department.
Her work assists service members in navigating the correctional and rehabilitation process, helping those who can return to service to reintegrate and assisting others with transitions into civilian life. DeLage noted that her goal was not to seek recognition but to push her capabilities to the next level, stating that recognition naturally followed.
DeLage entered the Air Force in January 2017 after a conversation with her father regarding the benefits of military service. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the importance of leadership qualities such as positivity, empathy, accountability, and consistency. She noted that effective leaders must hold themselves and their teams accountable while maintaining focus on the mission.
The 2026 Outstanding Airmen of the Year will be honored at the Air and Space Forces Association Air, Space & Cyber Conference, which is scheduled to be held from Sept. 14 to Sept. 16 at National Harbor, Maryland.
