CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
A member of the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was honored with a Bronze Star for his accomplishments during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom in a ceremony at the Charleston Club Sept. 17.
Chief Master Sgt. Howard Wilson III, an aircraft maintenance superintendent for the 437 AMXS, was presented the award by Gen. Norton Schwartz, United States Transportation Command commander. The Bronze Star medal is a United States military individual decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism and meritorious service.
"I was surprised when I found out I was going to receive the Bronze Star," said Chief Wilson. "All I wanted to do while deployed was contribute to the mission. I didn't expect or ask for the recognition."
Chief Wilson received the award for his meritorious service from Aug. 2006 to Aug. 2007 as the maintenance superintendent for the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia.
"I'm sure that Chief Wilson will utter nothing but humble comments," said. Lt. Col. Michael Lawrence, squadron commander of the 379 EAMS and Chief Wilson's supervisor. "But let me be the first to say that we generated hundreds of thousands of combat and combat support sorties because of his singular efforts and those of other Airmen deployed from 68 bases throughout the Air Force, from the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and the active duty Air Force."
While engaged in ground operations against the enemy during this time period, Chief Wilson significantly improved KC-135 Stratotanker turnaround times by realigning the aircraft parking plan to maximize underground fuel hydrants. His hard work and initiatives led to a total offload of 332 million pounds of fuel to 33,000 receiving aircraft -- a mobility Air Force best.
In addition, he improved one of the wing's most pressing challenges, an outdated C-130 Hercules maintenance facility. His innovative renovation plan improved unit morale and enhanced mission accomplishment to cut down a projected five-year wait for a new facility.
"Securing the new facilities for the C-130 maintainers was one of my most significant accomplishments," said Chief Wilson. "They were working out of a location everyone referred to as 'Shantytown.' It was literally bulldozed and a new 'C-130 Maintenance Town' was erected in its place. The transformation was remarkable."
Chief Wilson also took the lead when B-1B Lancer aircraft utilization was increased to meet the United States Central Command requirements. He promoted a smooth transition to isochronal (equal interval) phase inspections for the B-1B operation increase and ensured the aircraft was ever-present over Iraq and Afghanistan to support coalition ground forces.
He brought the wing to a 98.9 percent maintenance mission effectiveness rate and supported 19,000 combat sorties, 97,000 combat flying hours and ensured delivery of more than 2,000 munitions of enemy positions in support of the war.
"Chief Wilson is a standout Chief Master Sergeant," said Colonel Lawrence. "I was lucky enough for our paths to cross at the right time and place. He is truly deserving of this award."
Chief Wilson's wife, Francine, joined him for the ceremony. He said that even though the medal citation had his name on it, it was just as much his wife's as it was his.
"She took care of everything on the homefront, including preparing for a permanent change of station, during the year I was gone," he said.
The Bronze Star Chief Wilson received was comprised of more than 2,000 individual pieces for a specific reason.
"Two-thousand individual Airmen rotated through my squadron during the year I was deployed," he said. "The medal citation was a list of their achievements. I was fortunate to be their supervisor."
Chief Wilson expressed the best part of his job was knowing that what he does in the United States Air Force is important and makes a difference.
"Whether it's taking out the garbage or launching a mission-critical sortie, do the best job you can," said Chief Wilson, passing on some advice to younger Airmen. "Everything else will take care of itself."