Bureau of Land Management smokejumper Gary Baumgartner (FBX-88) and U.S. Forest Service smokejumper Frankie Romero (MYC-89) have been selected as the first recipients of the Al Dunton National Smokejumper Association Leadership Award. This annual leadership award was established by the interagency smokejumper base managers, in conjunction with the National Smokejumper Association, to recognize outstanding leadership among the ranks of current smokejumpers.
The award named for the late Al Dunton (FBX-67) who was a smokejumper for 18 years, Fairbanks Smokejumper Base manager from 1972 to 1984, BLM Nevada state fire management officer and BLM National Fire Director.