93rd ARS earns AFA Shilling Award

by Staff Sgt. Michael Means
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/30/2013 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash., -- The Air Force Association announced recently that the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron earned the 2013 David C. Schilling Award.

The 93rd ARS is the second refueling squadron to receive the award in its 65 year history.

"We had an incredible year in 2012. Not only the 93rd but the whole Operations Group," said Lt. Col. Patrick O'Brien, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron commander. "We couldn't have done this without the support of Team Fairchild and I couldn't be more proud of the men and women of the 93rd ARS."

The 93rd ARS provided aerial refueling support on more than 1,300 overseas combat missions offloading 82-million pounds of fuel while sustaining over 6,000 hours of ground alert supporting Operation Noble Eagle. The units accomplishments, too many to list, also include maintaining a tremendous operations tempo with more than 7,000 man-days deployed at locations around the world.

"The 93rd Air Refueling Squadron received the Schilling Award for the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of flight," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "This is a victory for all of Team Fairchild and the first class work we do. We fuel the fight with unmatched professionalism and passion!"

According to the AFA the Schilling Award recognizes an Air Force military member, Department of the Air Force civilian, unit or group of individuals for their contribution in the field of flight in the atmosphere or space. The award was first given in 1948 as the Flight Trophy and renamed in 1957 in honor of Col. David Schilling.

Schilling, one of World War II's most decorated fliers, was a quadruple ace and credited with destroying more than 23 enemy aircraft. He was also key in the development of aerial refueling techniques for fighter aircraft.

"For our unit to receive an award named after someone who was responsible for the early development of aerial refueling is truly an honor," said O'Brien. "We would not be where we are today without his contributions."

In 1950, Schilling went to Manston, England, where he flew a British jet to test the probe-and-drogue system in a refueling operation.
After he landed Schilling said, "Couldn't have been simpler."
Upon his return to the U.S. he personally sold the Air Force on a research and development contract to modify two F-84s to utilize the United Kingdom's Flight Refueling Limited, probe-and-drogue system.
Schilling used this system to make the first non-stop, air-refueled flight by a fighter across the Atlantic Ocean.

According to O'Brien, the 93rd would not be able to achieve the award without the leadership of Lt. Col. John Pantleo, former 93rd ARS commander who led the squadron the first half of the year.

"We are lucky to have been a part of a squadron with such hardworking and dedicated Airmen but this award not only recognizes the hard work that our men and women do every day in the squadron but also the support that Team Fairchild has given us," said O'Brien. "We would not have achieved any of this without their tremendous support."

O'Brien will accept the award on behalf of the squadron Sept. 16 at the 2013 Air and Space conference in Washington, D.C.

(Lt. Col. Clarke Newlon contributed to this story)