Where the load meets the road, 73rd Aerial Port Squadron

Driver Staff Sgt. Ryan Dane of the 73rd Aerial Port Squadron listens to a loadmaster’s instructions as he guides a Tunner 60K aircraft cargo loader/transporter off a transport aircraft at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, Dec. 6, 2014. The loader gave nearly 30 Airmen in the 301st Fighter Wing’s 73rd APS crucial combat operational training prior to a deployment. The 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron loader and the 433rd Airlift Wing C-5 aircraft are from Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia)

Tyndall completes first combat deployment

Four F-22 Raptors return to Tyndall after a six month deployment to Southeast Asia April 14. More than 200 Airmen deployed from the 95th Fighter Squadron, the 325th Operation Support Squadron, the 325th Maintenance Squadron, the 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and other offices make history by completing the first Tyndall and F-22 Raptor combat deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alex Echols/Released)

AFA to recognize Airmen, organizations in September

Published July 28, 2015
Air Force Reserve Command

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga -- Two reservists and two organizations with ties to the Air Force Reserve will receive Air Force-level awards at the Air Force Association’s 2015 Air and Space Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 14-16.

Lt. Col. John Marks, 303rd Fighter Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, is being honored with the Reserve Aircrew Award, the President’s Award.

During 2014 Marks deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He led 124 combat missions, supporting 132 ground operations and 29 troops-in-contact situations without friendly or civilian casualty. By his tactical expertise and instruction, the squadron achieved a 99.7 percent weapons effectiveness rate.

Master Sgt. Harvey McClain, U.S. Transportation Command, Norfolk, Virginia, nominated his employer for the Citizen Airman Award for supporting his reserve duty.

In civilian life, he works for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety State Highway Patrol, Troop C, District IX, Raleigh, North Carolina.

The 301st Fighter Wing, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, is the recipient of the Air Force Reserve Unit Award.

During 2014, the wing achieved outstanding operational results, operating out of two locations with more than 1,900 Airmen. The wing received excellent ratings in the June 2014 unit effectiveness inspection and drove Air Force Reserve Command’s premier F-16 fighter program with more than 8,000 mishap-free flying hours. In Operation Inherent Resolve, wing Airmen flew the first-ever F-22 combat missions against enemy forces.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the role it plays in national security. AFA recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through its national awards programs.