News

446th Airlift Wing wins prestigious award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Grant Saylor
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  If the 446th Airlift Wing was a mantle piece, odds are if it hadn't been busted already by the weight of multiple trophies, it surely would collapse after the addition of the latest heavy duty award. The wing was recognized Feb. 2 by Air Force officials with the Meritorious Unit Award for exceptional conduct in performance of outstanding service to the United States in direct support of combat operations from Oct. 1, 2008 to Sept. 30, 2010. This is the second time the 446th AW has been so honored, having garnered the award in 2007 as well.

"The men and women of the 446th AW have demonstrated unprecedented leadership, dedication to duty, and patriotism..." said Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, Jr., Commander, Air Force Reserve Command. "The members of this organization should be extremely proud of their many achievements and contributions resulting in this prestigious award."

Among many distinguished accomplishments during the two-year period, the wing flew more than 9,700 sorties totaling 42,000 flight hours, an increase of more than 30 percent over the previous two-year period. The wing's aircrews transported more than 800 distinguished visitors within combat areas, delivered desperately needed humanitarian aid to earthquake and flood victims in Haiti and Pakistan, and airlifted U.S. Navy divers and dolphins for an unlikely mission clearing World War II mines from New Caledonian waters. The wing continued its record-breaking support of the National Science Foundation, flying 58 missions, nearly 6,000 passengers and more than four million pounds of cargo in support of Operation Deep Freeze, Antarctica. Flight crews there conquered unchartered territory when they used night vision goggles to make a nighttime landing at McMurdo Station's ice runway. From DV's to divers, dolphins or Deep Freeze, if it had to be airlifted, Reservists here broke out the heavy lifting.

"I'm so proud of this wing and this well-deserved recognition," said Col. Jan Moore-Harbert, commander of the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. "The caliber, quality, and motivation of the Reservists here is just amazing. They don't back down and they never give up."

Colonel Moore-Harbert's AE professionals were a strong factor in the award, grabbing honors for best Air Force AES during fiscal year 2010. They also showcased the wing's AE expertise during Operation Global Medic, a joint force medical exercise that tasked the 446th AES with managerial duties overseeing 22 aircraft and more than 2,500 Airmen, Soldiers and Marines from 13 wings. Combined, the Reservists under Colonel Moore-Harbert's command have racked up 125 years of deployments since the start of the global war on terror in 2003.

"Not all wings can boast one of AFRC's go-to units," said Colonel Moore-Harbert. "Here at McChord, we have several go-to units, and not just for the Reserve but Air Force wide."

That go-to reputation is the result of a dedicated focus on teamwork that exists within units and between units. Case in point, said Colonel Moore-Harbert, is the interface between the 446th Operations Group and the 446th AES.

"In all my 20 plus years in this career field, I've never seen better support of an AE unit than I've seen from our OG," said Colonel Moore-Harbert. "And that support means our wounded warriors receive the best medical care possible."

Among the wing's many accolades leading to the award is a figure that demonstrates the durability of its personnel and the C-17 Globemaster: in 2009, the 446th AW supported more than 41 percent of the C-17 missions, Air Force wide, in support of overseas contingency operations. The high ops tempo and selfless devotion to the mission by so many Reservists helped ice the award for the 446th AW.

While extremely proud of her squadron and the wing, Colonel Moore-Harbert said that in order to stay on top, the wing must continue to focus on its people, and work to retain its seasoned veterans that are so instrumental in training and inspiring first term Airmen.

Those sentiments are echoed by Chief Master Sgt. Gloria Bennett, 446th AW command chief.

"It's been said that when you're on top, there's nowhere to go but down," she said. "We have to continue to care for and recognize our Reservists for the fabulous effort they put forth."

Chief Bennett is quick to point out the culture of excellence promoted throughout the wing as a contributing factor to the Meritorious Unit Award. She said she is constantly amazed to see the volume and quantity of work accomplished on a daily basis.

"Our personnel are so dedicated and high-performing, and this is award is proof that we can do amazing things."