March wing, Travis aircrew haul in awards

by Tech. Sgt. Shanda L. De Anda
Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs

5/16/2014 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The Air Force Reserve Command announced two 2013 Air Force Association awards May 9.

The 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, California; and the aircrew of Lt. Col. Todd Hegy, 312th Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California, won AFRC Outstanding Reserve Flying Wing Unit Award and the Outstanding Reserve Aircrew Award - President's Award, respectively.

The flying unit award is an annual competition recognizing the accomplishments of the unit that has set itself above the competition during the year. The 452nd AMW is the command's only unit-equipped air mobility wing. It has nine C-17As, 14 KC-135Rs and some 4,000 reservists.

According to the 452nd AMW award citation, "The wing executed the challenges of ongoing operations in Southwest Asia while flawlessly executing thousands of critical taskings and fully utilizing their assigned weapon systems in the most efficient matter possible. Their actions provided combat essential airlift, aeromedical evacuation, aerial refueling, force protection, logistics, mission support and aircraft maintenance at locations around the globe."

Hegy and his C-5 crew reflect the same level of excellence and commitment to duty.

"The 312th AS has a long history of support to the warfighter. I am pleased to see their work recognized and in particular Lieutenant Colonel Hegy's efforts," said Col. Matthew Burger, 349th Air Mobility Wing commander. "Todd quietly accomplishes the mission and demonstrates great airmanship and leadership."

Under his leadership, Hegy's crew displayed outstanding ability and professionalism by overcoming multiple system emergencies while delivering 28 percent of all cargo during the deployment of 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade and the redeployment of the 3rd Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade to Kandahar Air Base Afghanistan.

"This particularly challenging emergency resulted in avoiding a catastrophic explosion of emergency escape slide pressure bottle," stated the award citation. By completing an airborne temporary fix to a separated bleed duct, they saved the airplane, crew, passengers, and ensured on-time delivery of vital combat cargo.

These two awards recognize the outstanding achievements of Citizen Airmen who demonstrate through action the Air Force Reserve Command's ability to provide agile, cost-efficient, mission-effective support in diverse environments in a global arena.

"We are very proud of the accomplishments of the 452nd Air Mobility Wing and the 312th Airlift Squadron aircrew, but not surprised," said Maj. Gen. Richard Haddad, AFRC vice commander. "They are examples of the unique skills our Citizen Airmen bring to the fight day in and day out; they are but a small sample of our caliber Airmen who make it possible for us to fly, fight, and win."