Air Force flight nurse Ashley Stough of Evans City, Pennsylvania, was recently honored for her military service by the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. Stough was one of 21 female veterans and active duty military personnel to receive a commendation from the commission, which chose the recipients from a pool of 150 nominees. The ceremony, held on March 31 in Harrisburg, saw Stough receive a certificate signed by Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf, recognizing her for her service as a flight nurse.

Stough, who joined the Air Force in 2016, has deployed to Germany and the Middle East, and has been awarded 17 Air Force medals and awards for her service, including the Air Medal and the Aerial Achievement Medal. She is currently working on her master’s degree at Duquesne University, having previously earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Robert Morris University. Stough was nominated for the commendation by her mother, Lt. Col. Susan Oliver-Stough, U.S. Army, retired, who also swore Ashley into the Air Force in 2016.

The Pennsylvania Commission for Women’s commendation ceremony was intended to celebrate the contributions of female veterans and active duty military personnel to the state and the nation. Women now make up 16% of the U.S. Armed Forces, and more than 65,000 female veterans and service members call Pennsylvania home. The commission chose the 21 honorees from a pool of 150 nominees, and Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf signed certificates recognizing each of the women for their service. Stough was proud to be among the honorees, and said that she was “very proud to be a part of” the recognition of women in the service.