Both active and retired African-American general officers and members of the senior executive service were recognized during the Ninth Annual Stars and Stripes dinner Feb. 7, here.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presented this year's Black Engineer of the Year award to Air Force recipient Brig. Gen. Cedric D. George, the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex commander at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Current and retired leaders participated in a two-hour mentoring session prior to the dinner. The mentors passed down life lessons to approximately 360 college and high school students from the Washington metro area, who are interested in pursuing professions in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

(Information courtesy of Air Force Public Affairs Agency, Operating Location – P)