Aviation unit receives recognition and unit of the year award third time in four years

By: Missouri Public Affairs Office





Two Army and an Air National Guard flying unit were named "Unit of the Year" by the Joint Operational Support Airlift Center for 2009. For one unit, the Missouri State Flight Detachment 40 Operational Support Airlift Command, this award marks the third time they've received the award in four years.

Detachment 40 of the Missouri Army National Guard has been awarded unit of the year in the Small Army-West category, while Detachment 36 of the Illinois Army National Guard won the Small Army-East category and the 177th Airlift Squadron of the North Dakota Air National Guard received the Unit of the Year award in the Air Force's small aircraft category.

The Missouri Detachment which is based in Jefferson City, Mo., at the Jefferson City Memorial airport, is commanded by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Don Muschler. The nine-member unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror in August of last year after trained at Fort Benning, Ga., where they completed pre-mobilization exercises.

"This is fantastic and the award goes to all the members of Detachment 40 and our outstanding maintenance contractor," said Muschler.

And though they didn't win the award last year, "everyone stepped up a couple of notches from last year. The entire unit wanted to repeat our successes and we dug in and went the extra mile to be repeat winners," Muschler added.

While deployed this past year the nine-member detachment has supported the "Wounded Warrior" program by transporting wounded Soldiers from Fort Polk, La. to San Antonio, Texas for treatment. The unit also supported missions to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They have also flown distinguished visitors around Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. Stephen Danner, the adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, said he is extremely proud of the unit's accomplishments.

"This is an auspicious occasion," Danner said. "The unit has done extremely well. Their role is vital and all of Missouri takes pride in what they are doing and pray for their safe return."

The detachment receives missions from Joint Operational Support Airlift Command which is the airlift branch of the U.S. Transportation Command, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Ill, that specializes in air transportation of senior defense officials within the continental U.S.

All missions are received via the internet, said Muschler.

Detachment 40 operates a C-12 Huron, a multiengine airplane that seats seven passengers comfortably. The unit performs similar missions in Missouri when not deployed.

JOSAC is designated as the scheduling authority for all continental U.S. missions. Currently, 89 units support JOSAC. Units are comprised of aircraft squadrons from all branches, to include the Marine Corps, Army, Navy and Air Force in accomplishing Operational Support Airlift missions.


Posted: 6/10/2010 4:13:28 PM