Contents - Airlift/Tanker Association

The Airlift/Tanker Association Lieutenant General James E. Sherrard III Award is presentedannually to the most outstanding Air Force Reserve wing or group that distinguisheditself in the performance and support of the Mobility Air Forces mission. Theunit embodies the spirit and essence of the Citizen Airman balancing theoperational demands of today’s global mobility operations, maintaininga viable strategic reserve for tomorrow while embracing responsibilitiesto their civilian employer, community, and family.2010 A/TA LtGen James E. Sherrard IIIAFRC Outstanding Unit Award439th Airlift WingThe 439th Airlift Wing (AW) is the recipient of the 2010 AirliftTanker Association’s Lt Gen James E. Sherrard III Award. This awardrecognizes an Air Force Reserve Command wing for having a significantimpact on the success of our Mobility Air Force. Assigned to theAir Mobility Command 22nd Air Force, the439th AW, known as the “Patriot Wing,” isled by Colonel Robert R. Swain, Jr. The airmenof the 439th set the unit and themselvesapart by displaying excellence in manning,readiness, inspections, deployments, andoperational mission support, participatingin Air Force, Air Mobility Command and AirForce Reserve Command directed missions.The 439th AW operates 16 C-5A and Bmodel aircraft at Westover Air Reserve Base,Massachusetts, the nation’s largest Air ForceReserve base. Currently, 2,500 reservists areassigned to the wing at Westover. They trainone weekend each month and also serve a15-day annual tour of duty each year. The337th Airlift Squadron is the wing’s flyingunit at Westover. The 439th has two unitsthat are designated Geographically SeparatedUnits (GSU) – the 85th Aerial Port Squadron, Hanscom AirForce Base, MA, and the 722nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron atFort Hamilton, NY.Westover airmen took the fight to the enemy, spending 2519 totaldays TDY, sending 374 airmen to the AOR.The 439th provided exceptional OIF/OEF support, performing1.2K+ warfighter support sorties, moving 24K+ short tons of cargoand nearly 6,000 passengers.The wing provided resolute medical support, deploying 26 AES airmento six different sites to assist staging efforts to bring 3.5K+ patientshome. 439th TALCE personnel directed aerial port operationsduring the Haitian earthquake response effort, UNIFIED RESPONSE,during which the Wing participated in 660 missions moving 1.4Kshort tons of cargo and 4.4K passengers, 379of them on a single C-5 flight, setting a newsingle flight passenger record.The 439th provided aircraft, personneland expertise during the movement of morethan 100 U.S. Army helicopters and morethan 400,000 pounds of related equipmentfrom Rota Naval Air Station, Spain, to variousairfields in Afghanistan.In recent years the Wing has received numerousAir Force Outstanding Unit Awards,and several of the Wing’s units have beenrecognized with awards for superior performanceand excellent leadership. The menand women of the the 439th AW strive tolive up to the Wing’s vision, “Leaders in Excellence,”and they embrace Air Force corevalues of “Integrity First, Service Before Self,and Excellence in All We Do.”The 439th brings some of the finest airmen in the Air Force– prepared, motivated, and trained – to the fight. The 439th carriesa heritage of excellence; an unmatched history and tradition ofmeeting every challenge and responding to every call – whetherit’s standing up a 24/7 maintenance hub or deploying its peopleoverseas, the 439th is ready. And even more importantly, the 439thcontinues to get ready for the next requirement, by properly trainingand equipping its people for the next fight. No longer just Wingmen,the men and women of the 439th are...”Leaders in Excellence!”“The patriot volunteer, fighting for country and his rights,makes the most reliable soldier on earth.”–LtGen Thomas J. “Stonewall” JacksonLtGen James E. Sherrard III had a most distinguished career – from his early days as a C-130 airlift pilot to his tenure at the highest levels of Air Force Reserveleadership. General Sherrard twice served as vice commander as well as the tenth and longest-serving Chief of the Air Force Reserve and Commander, Air ForceReserve Command. General Sherrard with his leadership and influence has spanned the depth and breadth of the Air Force Reserve Command, including thecommand of three tactical airlift wings and both air mobility-focused numbered air forces. A true champion of air mobility, among is awards are the DistinguishedService Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC) and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass.A/TQ • Airlift/Tanker Quarterly • Fall 201049