Kadena flying unit wins PACAF outstanding air refueling unit award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lauren Snyder
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena's 909th Air Refueling Squadron won the Senior Master Sgt. Albert L. Evans Outstanding Air Refueling Section of the Year Award at the Pacific Air Forces level for 2012.

The Senior Master Sgt. Albert L Evans award recognizes the best in-flight refueling operating section each year.

"In the past year, the boom operators of the 909th ARS have performed above and beyond, leading the way in all tanker missions assigned to this squadron," said Brig. Gen. Matthew Molloy, 18th Wing commander, in a letter to PACAF. "The air refueling section's participation in combat operations, homeland defense, and multilateral air refueling support solidified them as the backbone of the Pacific region."

In 2012, the squadron strongly demonstrated Kadena's mission as the "Keystone of the Pacific" by supporting American military forces through constant intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage in the Pacific theater in peacetime and conflict.

Airmen of the 909th ARS flew more than 1,000 missions in 2012. They quickly responded to aeromedical evacuation flights, combat missions, force extension missions, and supported training sorties. These flights were in cooperation with 10 other Air Force flying squadrons throughout their area of responsibility.

They were lauded as an "outstanding team-aircrew" during the year's operational readiness inspection and praised by the inspector general as a key contributor to Kadena's "excellent" rating.

"It has been an absolute privilege to work with some of the finest air refueling experts in the world. The 'Young Tigers' provide global reach to the largest AOR without skipping a beat," said Lt. Col. Christina Clausnitzer, 909th ARS commander. "I am regularly impressed with our boom operators' ability to 'make it happen.' Of course, our mission is not possible without the outstanding support provided by our fantastic maintainers, meticulous (Squadron Resource Aviation Management) troops, brilliant intelligence folks and incredible crew communication personnel."

With a multitude of missions supported in 2012, the 909th ARS proved they were essential to Kadena's war-fighting mission, but it was also the members' personal accomplishments that cemented their nomination for this award. Airmen organized a half marathon for 300 runners, provided 104 Easter baskets for a Youthville basket drive, and managed Kadena's 2012 Air Force Ball, providing vital community involvement. Additionally, courtesy patrols manned by the 909th ARS kept off-base altercations to a minimum and helped preserve the American military forces' image.

The Senior Master Sgt. Albert L. Evans Outstanding Air Refueling Section award has been a part of the air refueling community since 1980. Units must distinguish themselves at squadron and individual levels, and show they are the best both on the job and off.