Gamecocks earn PACAF nod for Raytheon Trophy

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Francesca Popp
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The 19th Fighter Squadron is ringing in another decade with an award nomination from Pacific Air Forces.

The Gamecocks are the winners of the 2009 Raytheon Award for PACAF. Gen. Gary North, PACAF commander, announced the winner in a Dec. 17 memorandum to the 3rd Wing. He wrote that while the 19th FS faced many challenges, it "showed incredible versatility that was unmatched in the command."

The Gamecocks flew 3,602 sorties and 6,312 hours during fiscal 2009 in support of peacetime and North American Aerospace Defense Command contingency operations, while maintaining around-the-clock Response Posture Immediate alert.

"This nod is different because it recognizes not just the fighter squadron, but the entire Gamecock Team. The operators would not be able to accomplish a single thing without the incredible output from the 19th AMU. I relate the successes of the Gamecock Team to the mission focused, team concept fostered by every arctic Airman," said Lt. Col. David Graff, 19th Fighter Squadron commander. "This is such an awesome honor to wrap up a great 2009 and start 2010 with this recognition."

The 19th FS deployed to Korat Air Base, Thailand, Jan. 29-Feb. 20, 2009, for Joint Task Force Cobra Gold -- a JCS-tasked combined exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force. As the lead ambassadors for the United States, they integrated eight F-15Cs with Thai air force aircraft F-16s, F-5s, A-4s, and L-39s, U.S. Marine Corps F-18s, and U.S. Army ground units. In Thailand, the squadron flew 114 hours during 93 sorties and accomplished seven upgrades; all while maintaining alert operations at home station with the impending threat of an active volcano.

Less than one month after returning, Mount Redoubt erupted and remained active for the next 99 days. Due to the eruption, the 19th FS scrambled to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, in the first-ever Operation Noble Eagle Flush to man the combat alert cells here and at Eielson in the event volcanic ash prevented effective alert operations from either location. The 19th FS was the first to cover both Operation Noble Eagle and Northern Sovereignty Operations alert at the Eielson CAC in more than 25 years. They maintained dual alert locations for nine consecutive days.

The Gamecocks kept hurdling all obstacles in their way. They successfully completed all Polar Force exercises and helped the 3rd Wing earn multiple "outstanding" ratings during the Operational Readiness Inspection in June. That month also marked 81 consecutive days of elevated alert status -- the longest period in Alaska NORAD Region history. The 19th FS pulled 227 days of alert operations in 2009.

The Gamecocks continued this high operations tempo in spite of the Air Force announcement in May that the F-15s were being reassigned and the unit was closing. "This dedication to our mission was amazing considering many Airmen's futures were unknown," Graff said.

The relationship between 19th FS and 19th AMU Airmen enabled the squadron to accomplish its robust flying training program and contingency taskings without sacrificing the health of the fleet. According to the award package, the 19th AMU had the highest F-15C mission-capable rate in PACAF, to include U.S. Air Forces Europe, with 80.9 percent. The squadron's proactive maintenance scheduling ensured 6,668 items required by F-15 Configuration Management were also installed.

"This success is attributed to the steadfast dedication and hard work of each and every maintainer assigned to the 19th AMU," said Capt. Adam Hauer, 19th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge. Putting this achievement into perspective, he said the Gamecocks were able to eliminate a 429 flying hour deficit in less than three months by increasing flying 25 percent. "Our unit is able to foster a strong working relationship through constant communication and dedication to one common goal."

The squadron experienced no mishaps -- aircraft losses or damage, or personnel injuries causing lost work time -- in 6,312 hours of flying. The maintainers also developed a solution to prevent a critical antenna from falling off the F-15, thus directly impacting further mishaps throughout the Combat Air Forces.

"Our maintainers uphold the highest safety standards found in the Air Force with constant training and stringent use of technical orders," said Hauer. "This award encompasses the dynamic relationship of operations and maintenance. It provides a real sense of our team and how we employ day to day."

The 19th Fighter Squadron last won this honor in 2000. The Gamecocks are 249 Airmen strong, supporting 27 F-15C/D combat-coded air superiority fighters. Their mission is to mobilize, deploy and employ the F-15C air superiority fighter in support of war-fighting commands through offensive and defensive counter air missions.

Started in 1953 by Hughes Aircraft Company, the Raytheon Trophy is given annually to the top air-superiority or air-defense squadron in the Air Force. The 19th FS is now competing at the Air Force level for this award.