446th Airlift Wing to bring home ‘heavy metal’ this weekend Published Nov. 4, 2011 By Jake Chappelle 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- The 446th Airlift Wing has earned three awards from the Airlift/Tanker Association, which will be presented at the 2011 ATA Convention in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 3 - 6. The awards are scheduled to be given out Nov. 5, and are the Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III Award, best ramp fuel accuracy, and best fueling accuracy in a C-17 Globemaster III unit. The last two come with $50,000 each for the commander to invest into the wing. "I couldn't be more proud of the men and women of the 446th," said Col. Bruce Bowers, 446th AW commander. "It's reassuring when associations outside of the local community recognize our Airmen for their tremendous daily performance." In recognition of the 446th AW Reservists, Bowers' goal is to spend the money on the Airmen. "These are precedent-setting awards," said Bowers. "I'm currently speaking with our financial management office to determine the best way to utilize the money for the Airmen in the unit." The Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III Award is presented annually to the most outstanding Air Force Reserve Wing or group that distinguished itself in the performance and support of the Mobility Air Force Mission, according to an article from the Airlift/Tanker Quarterly. According to Maj. Darren Loftin with the Fuel Efficiency Office at Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill, the Best Fuel Accuracy Award is for the wing with the best precision in using fuel at, or under, the planned fuel load an average mission. The Fuel Accuracy Award is for the wing with the lowest percentage of over-fueled take off and landings, said Loftin. In other words, it's for the unit who flies the least amount of over-fueled missions. An aircraft is considered be over-fueled when it carries an excess of 1,500 pounds of fuel or more. The 446th AW vice commander, Col. Colin Carr, is attending the conference to accept the awards on behalf of the wing.