CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
A Charleston C-17 squadron is the Air Force's nominee for the 2007 Air Force Association David C. Schilling Award.
The 17th Airlift Squadron will compete for the award at the national level and could become part of a group of former winners that includes Capt. James Jabara, the world's first jet ace, and the crew of the first Space Shuttle Endeavour flight. The award is given annually for most outstanding contribution in the field of flight.
"To become the Air Force's nominee for the Schilling Award is a phenomenal accomplishment," said Col. Glen Joerger, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "Being mentioned in the same sentence as Maj. Chuck Yeager and the Apollo 15 crew that landed on the moon is a testament to the amazing work performed daily by the fine men and women we have here at Charleston."
The 17 AS was the first Charleston C-17 squadron to deploy under the two expeditionary airlift squadron construct. In just 90 days they flew more than 3,000 sorties and transported more than 95,000 passengers while operating downrange. The unit was responsible for moving more than 84 million pounds of cargo and supplying the warfighter with 1,500 vehicles in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
"I am most proud of the way the Triple A prepared for and overcame difficult situations," said Lt. Col. Lenny Richoux, 17 AS commander. "The most prominent was our 6 weeks notice for the first C-17 integral unit EAS deployment. It was amazing to watch them build a deployed squadron from the ground up in only 10 days and then operate the first mission one day early."
The 17 AS was the first to test the joint precision airdrop system and landed cargo less than 50 meters from their intended point of impact from an altitude of more than 17,000 feet.
"Charleston AFB has always been the 'go-to' airlift wing because we are a solid team and always move the mission in a world-class manner," Colonel Richoux added.
While still flying operations in Southwest Asia, the squadron saved lives by moving 620 American citizens out of harm's way as part of noncombatant evacuation operations in Lebanon.
The squadron was awarded 23 Iraqi Campaign Medals, 11 Afghanistan Campaign Medals, 109 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medals, 162 Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Ribbons and 120 Air Medals for their accomplishments during their EAS deployment.
The 437 AW claimed the Schilling Award in 1998 for a 20-hour non-stop flight to Uzbekistan where an eight-ship C-17 formation airdropped more than 500 soldiers during a combined exercise. At the time, the mission was the longest airdrop in aviation history.
The AFA will announce this year's national winner during the 2007 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in September.