MUNS competes for SecDef Phoenix Award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eric Bolt
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth's 28th Munitions Squadron won the 2007 Air Force Maintenance Effectiveness Award and is now among the contenders for the Secretary of Defense Phoenix Award as the best of the best in the Department of Defense.

The Phoenix Award is the highest award for field-level maintenance recognizing of the extended service life given to equipment and weapon systems by sustained quality maintenance through extraordinary maintenance programs.

The Maintenance Effectiveness Award is presented to the maintenance unit that has the best managed resources in a given year.

"The demands of the Air Force and the nation put us (28 MUNS) in the combat zone for 11 straight months and that had a huge impact on us winning this award," said Capt. John Hampel, 28 MUNS operations officer. "We accomplished a lot while we were there and the Airmen at home continued to do amazing work supporting Ellsworth's home-station needs."

Along with 11 straight months in combat support, 28 MUNS stood out by: assembling more than 2,000 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, generating more than 1,000 home-station training flights and providing munitions for deployed B-1s, C-130s, C-17s and F-15s.

Airmen from the 28 MUNS continue to arm aircraft with munitions; they just get to do the job now with a major award under their belt.

"I'm proud of all the guys I work with," said Airman 1st Class Daniel Wood, 28 MUNS conventional maintenance crew member. "I'm not the only one who should be speaking for this award, it should be every Airmen in every 28 MUNS shop."

Leadership from 28 MUNS was extremely proud of the Airmen in their squadron.

"I have come to appreciate the professionalism of the 28 MUNS and I am honored to be their commander," said Lt. Col. Dee Dee Richards. "They have worked extremely hard these past two years and it was very important to get this level of recognition."

The Airmen of 28 MUNS look forward to hearing the results of the Phoenix Award board in the coming months.