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403rd Operations Group earns Lt. Gen Sherrard award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Heiney
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
Every year the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium and technology convention brings together Air Force leadership, industry experts and members of the academic community along with past and present mobility Airmen from around the world. During the four-day event, attendees discuss the issues and challenges the air mobility community faces and recognize Airmen and units making exceptional contributions to the mission.

This year, the 403rd Operations Group, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, was awarded the Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III Air Force Reserve Command Outstanding Unit Award.

This 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 Forces mission by balancing the operational demands of today’s global mobility operations with maintaining a viable strategic reserve for tomorrow and embracing responsibilities to their civilian employers, communities and families.

“I’m so proud of everyone in the OG; to be singled out as the best Operations Group in AFRC is a tremendous honor,” said Col. Brian May, 403rd OG commander. “We know how hard our folks work day-in and day-out, and receiving this award validates the achievements of everyone and the results of our combined efforts.”

The 403rd Operations Group was selected for this award for several accomplishments during the award period from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017.

They conducted more than 100 storm missions, collecting data on hurricanes in both the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as 53 joint airborne and air transportability training missions with a 99.5 percent mission success rate.

In March 2017, the 815th Airlift Squadron, which falls under the 403rd Operations Group, led the first ever AFRC Green Flag exercise, which combined seven reserve crews with seven active-duty crews to simulate combat missions in a deployment scenario.

The group also supported the U.S. Navy’s Gulf of Mexico Operational Demonstration, which integrated, Reserve, Guard and active duty weather reconnaissance and research personnel to demonstrate unmanned systems capabilities and explore collaborative opportunities.

“These award winners embody leadership, excellence and make our team better by being on it,” said Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, Air Mobility Command commander. “There is a tremendous demand for the capabilities these Airmen provide across the joint force. They are key reasons why we have the world’s best Air Force and why our nation knows it can always count on AMC.”