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315th Airlift Wing named 4 AF best of best

  • Published
  • By Michael Dukes
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 315th Airlift Wing took top honors Thursday night, Oct. 20, after receiving the Raincross Trophy for the best wing in 2016 at the 4th Air Force at the Raincross Trophy Dinner in Riverside, California.

“We are proud to receive this prestigious award of excellence,” said Col. Gregory Gilmour, 315th AW commander. “It represents the hard work and professionalism that the members of our wing demonstrate on a daily basis. I thank everyone at the 315th, and their families that support them, for all the hard work you do every day.”

One of the awards highlights was that the 315th Airlift Wing “provided unrivaled global mobility operations and wartime support, executing over 7,600 flying hours on 1,662 sorties, delivering 13,820 passengers and 12,126 tons of critical cargo. Standing at the forefront of C-17 airlift operations, the wing played a vital role in major contingencies and humanitarian relief efforts.”

The award citation also said the 315th “dominated the realm of Presidential Support missions,” and the fact that the wing was handpicked to “plan and execute Air Force Reserve Command’s first-ever Expeditionary Skills Rodeo.”

“Not only are we the best in 4AF, but now everyone knows it. Thanks for all your hard work and professionalism. We should all be very proud of this accomplishment,” said Col. Caroline Evernham, 315th Operations Group commander.

The awards dinner was sponsored by the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. It is held to celebrate the excellent work and commitment of the 16 wings and one group in Fourth Air Force and was a highlight of the 4th AF Commander's Conference. 
  

The Raincross Trophy recognizes exceptional airmanship during an individual mission or sustained operations and carries bragging rights as the best wing or group in the numbered Air Force. In 1998, the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce elected to commemorate the 'return home' of Fourth Air Force, by creating a new trophy -- The Raincross Trophy - to honor the best of the best in 4th Air Force.