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MacDill airlift squadron receives outstanding flight award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine Holt
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 310th Airlift Squadron received world-wide recognition on Oct. 21 when Gulfstream Aerospace named them one of the inaugural winners of the Gulfstream Outstanding Flight Award.

The 310th AS was presented the Alber-Rowley Trophy at the National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting and Convention, on Oct. 2 in Orlando, Fla.

"We were up against two Navy units," said Lt. Col. Jennifer Uptmor, 310th AS commander. "It was an amazing feat and a humbling experience to win."

The annual awards spotlight flights involving superior airmanship performed in customer Gulfstream aircraft and highlight significant real-world business and special-mission aviation operations by Gulfstream operators. The trophy is named for Carl Alber and Fred Rowley who, in 1958, made the first flight of a Gulfstream aircraft.

The 310th AS's nominated flight was a dedicated, eight-day C-37A expedition to Southwest Asia in support of the U.S. Transportation Command. During its successful 13-leg, nearly 45-hour journey last winter, the 310th AS flew into a combat zone, encountered heavy snow flurries and low visibility, and faced the threat of small-arms fire. The mission required 30 diplomatic clearances through 23 countries.

"We were up against high terrains and bad weather while trying to keep a four star (general) on schedule," said Colonel Uptmor. "It was an intense mission that took the flight crew to maximum duty days on a tight and unforgiving schedule."

Colonel Uptmor knew this mission could be a winner.

"I have never been more confident that my guys and their capabilities would shine through," said Colonel Uptmor.

The 310th AS received take-home trophies and certificates. Each winner also had its name engraved on a permanent Gulfstream-commissioned trophy, an 80-pound, original artist-designed brass sculpture, which will remain on permanent display at Gulfstream headquarters.

"An award like this is achieved not just through an aircrew, but through a squadron," said Colonel Uptmor.

The trophy received by the 310th AS was dedicated to the late Master Sgt. Tony Ratcliff.

(Additional reporting by Heidi Fedak, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporate Communications.)