Happy Hooligans name Outstanding Airman of the Year Published March 2, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Eric Jungles NDNG PA March 3, 2014 -- FARGO, N.D. -- The North Dakota Air National Guard, known as the "Happy Hooligans," recognized the "best of the best" during the 2013 Outstanding Airmen of the Year banquet on Saturday in Moorhead, Minn. Fifteen Airmen were nominated for the award based on their military and civic service during 2013. Three Airman walked away with the prestigious title of Airman of the Year, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year or Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, also spoke during the evening, which included awarding the First Sergeant of the Year award to Master Sgt. Larry Torres and the Unit Career Advisor of the Year award to Tech. Sgt. Haley Mitchell. The banquet concluded with guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, the eleventh Command Chief Master Sgt. of the entire Air National Guard. 2013 Outstanding Airman of the Year Winners: Staff Sgt. Shelly Pherson, of Fargo, N.D., was awarded Airman of the Year. She works in air transportation for the 119th Wing. Pherson is also an improvisation artist with Linebenders Improv Comedy and a gymnastics coach at American Gold. Staff Sgt. Andrew Forvarp, of Moorhead, Minn., was named Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. He works as a member of the 119th Wing's Security Forces Squadron. Forvarp is a corrections officer for the Clay County Sheriff's Office, and he is currently attending the police academy in Alexandria, Minn. Master Sgt. Toby Eiter, of Lake Park, Minn., was named Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. He works for the 119th Wing's Intelligence Squadron. Eiter works full-time at Windsor Sales, and he volunteers as a Cub Scout den leader, elementary basketball coach, member of the North Dakota Air National Guard Enlisted Association.