AETC names 2008 Cheney award nominees Published March 17, 2009 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Education and Training Command officials announced in January the command's nominees for the 2008 Cheney award, recognizing an act of valor, extreme fortitude, or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft, but not necessarily of a military nature by an Air Force officer or enlisted member. The mother and sister of 1st Lt. William H. Cheney established the award in 1927 after Lieutenant Cheney was killed in an air collision in Italy in 1918. These individuals will compete in the next level of competition. Officer category Capt. Geoffrey A. Petyak Enlisted Tech. Sgt. Jason S. Weiss