Description

The Tempe Chamber Military Affairs Committee (MAC) is proud to invite you to an annual event to honor the crew of the "Copper 5" featuring the Plough and Young Awards. Lunch is included. In cooperation with the Arizona Air National Guard, the Tempe MAC has been holding this annual event to honor one outstanding officer and one outstanding enlisted member on duty with the 161st Air Refueling Wing to commemorate the Copper 5 crew. 

About the awards: On March 13, 1982 a KC-135 air fueling tanker, from the 161st Air Refueling Wing, Phoenix, call sign "Copper 5", collided with a small civilian aircraft and crashed near Luke AFB in Maricopa County, Arizona killing the tanker's 4-man aircrew. The aircrew was Lt Col James Nick Floor; Lt Col Theodore Lester Beam; Major Truman Young, Jr; and,TSgt Donald Plough. The pilot and passenger of the civilian plane, who were from California, also perished. 

CLICK HERE to read the full history behind this event and the awards.

2024 Recipient of the Major Truman Young Award

Capt Kyle J. Clark 

2024 Recipient of the TSgt Donald Plugh Award

MSgt Dylan M. Vogel

Sponsorships Available. 

Contact Karin Jimenez karin@tempechamber.org 

A big thanks to our 2024 Patriot Sponsors