HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- A Hurlburt Field maintenance squadron received the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award for field-level medium category units, in Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 18, 2014.
The 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received the award for superior aircraft maintenance during the period of Oct. 1, 2012, through Sept. 30, 2013.
The squadron, comprised of more than 480 Air Commandos, maintained 16 CV-22 Osprey and nine MC-130H Talon II aircraft during that period.
“Our Airmen's ability to effectively manage resources in order to produce safe and reliable combat-ready aircraft have had far-reaching impacts on the mission,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Johns, 801st SOAMXS commander. “All the men and women of this 801st Squadron have performed remarkably throughout the year marked with high operations tempo and fiscal challenges.”
The combined actions of the 801st SOAMXS Airmen resulted in 3,924 flying missions and 7,513 flying hours, and they supported 32 crews and more than 50 percent of the 1st Special Operations Wing mission.
“We will continually look for ways to improve our operations,” Johns said. “That way we can exceed our vision of generating aircraft in a safe, compliant and disciplined manner to successfully execute AFSOC’s operational requirements.”
The commitment of the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, which is a support unit of the 801st, led to the transport of 312 special operation forces personnel, five military working dogs and the capture of 383 insurgents.
Additionally, the 15th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, another support unit of the 801st, enabled 1,500 combat missions and the transport of 7,600 passengers and 2,500 tons of cargo.
The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements in weapon system and military equipment maintenance.
"It is absolutely humbling to be working with some of the best maintainers in the Department of Defense,” said Col. Rene Leon, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group commander. “We are extremely proud of all our commando maintainers and the accomplishments of the 801st stands as a great example of their professionalism and dedication.”