US AIR FORCE
61st Veteran of the Quarter
Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter #61
Heather M Lawson, US Air Force
Nominated by: Charlene Smith
December 2025
Heather Lawson entered the U.S. Air Force in November 1996, completing Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, followed by technical training in Airfield Management Operations at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. Beginning in airfield and air mobility operations, Lawson first served at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, before an overseas tour at Ramstein AB, Germany, where she supported Air Mobility Operations and deployed to Morón AB, Spain during early 1999.
From 2000 to 2004, Lawson led Airfield Management Operations at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, including a deployment to Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia. Following assignments included MacDill AFB, Florida with deployment to Al Udeid AB, Quatar; Nellis AFB, Nevada—where she deployed to Mosul AB, Iraq in 2008, and a year-long tour as Airfield Manager at Soto Cano AB, Honduras with additional support at Port-au-Prince Airport, Haiti in 2010.
From 2010 to 2013, Lawson served as Airfield Manager at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, followed by assignment at Andersen AFB, Guam, where she served as both Airfield Manager and Squadron Superintendent. This period included a 2015 deployment to the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Al Udeid AB, Qatar, with forward duties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Continuing in senior leadership roles, Lawson served as Airfield Manager and Squadron Superintendent at Dyess AFB, with another CAOC deployment in 2018. From 2018 to 2021 Lawson served as the USAFE/AFAFRICA Airfield Management Functional Manager at Ramstein AB, Germany.
Culminating a distinguished career of 24 years and 8 months, Lawson retired from the United States Air Force on July 30, 2021. Lawson’s major awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Unit Award with one Oak Leaf Cluster, AF Outstanding Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Good Conduct Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and Humanitarian Service Medal. Other accolades include: USAFE Airfield Management Airman of the Year, Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, HQ Air Force’s Airfield Operations Flight Facility of the Year, ACC Airfield Management Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, 48 Operations Group Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, USAFE/AFRICOM Spirit of Hope Award, 36 Wing General Wilma Vaught Leadership Award, HQ Air Force’s Airfield Management Facility of the Year, 11 Air Force, Lance P. Sijan Award, and 7 Operations Group Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.
Lawson resides with her husband, Ronnie, retired SMSgt USAF, and their 2 Olde English Bulldogs who have traveled all over the US and Europe along with them. She will graduate with a master’s degree in legal studies from Purdue University in Spring 2026. Lawson is Commander of American Legion Post #637, American Legion District 17 Vice Commander, and Kimberling City Parks Foundation Member. She is also a member of The Elks Lodge, Veterans of the Ozarks, and lifetime member of the VFW.
Veterans are chosen by a panel of peers. To nominate a local Veteran for the Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter, please visit: www.bransonbank.com or stop by any Branson Bank location to pick up a Nomination Form.
THE PROUD. THE STRONG. THE LOYAL. OUR VETERANS!