3rd CMS at it again: Best in DoD

  • Published
  • By Airmen 1st Class Christopher Gross
  • JBER PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  After being awarded the best field-level maintenance award in the small category only a few months ago at Air Force level, the 3rd Component Maintenance Squadron is at it again, now named the best in the Department of Defense, topping all other military branches.

"I am very proud of all the hard work that they put in to make this happen," said Col. Jerry Johnson, 3rd Maintenance Group commander. "It is a very well deserved award, because of the innovation and the expertise that they put forth everyday in doing their job."

The 3rd CMS recently got the news that they are the recipients of the 2010 Secretary of Defense Field-Level Maintenance Award, small category.

"We're thrilled to death with the award," said Maj. Jay Hennette, 3rd CMS commander. "It's an impressive organization, to see the level of professionalism, pride and ownership to make sure their tasks are done right."

"(These Airmen are) hard working and dedicated," said Tech Sgt. Quirt Peluso, 3rd CMS Egress flight NCO in charge.

"These guys are the best," they know their job and are more than willing to teach or work any task, said Lt. Andrew Gamache, 3rd CMS Propulsion Flight commander.

The 3rd CMS is split into several units, each of which has its own responsibilities, but as a whole, they're responsible for component repair on uninstalled engines, avionics, egress and hydraulics.

The Airmen of the 3rd CMS don't have an easy job by any means either. There are so many technical and safety regulations to abide by, said Lieutenant Gamache. However, "I couldn't be happier with the way that they work and function."

One of the main reasons this unit is one of the best in the military is the aggressive flying schedule Airmen must keep up with. During the past year, 27,800 hours and more than 13,000 sorties were flown by the aircraft stationed at Elmendorf, to include eight C-17 Globemaster IIIs, two E-3 Sentries, 42 F-22 Raptors and 27 F-15 Eagles.

Major Hennette and several other 3rd CMS members are expected to receive their award Nov. 17 during the DoD Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Fla.