9th ARS wins Evans Trophy

Published May 16, 2007
By 1st Lt. Lindsey Hahn
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 9th Air Refueling Squadron boom operators took the title of the "Top Boom Operators in Air Mobility Command" when they were awarded the Senior Master Sgt. Albert L. Evans Trophy May 14.

Maj. Gen. Fred Roggero, AMC Air, Space and Information Operations director, and Sergeant Evans' daughters, Kathy and Dawn, presented the award to 9th ARS commander, Lt. Col. Kurt Miedel and Master Sgt. Jeff Russell, 9th ARS chief boom operator, in the 9th ARS auditorium.

"You're work is extremely important to the squadron's Airmen," said General Roggero. "If the boom isn't doing their job then the planes aren't able to fly and help the [Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines] on the ground."

The refueling community has delivered more than 6 billion pounds of fuel since 2001 and as it gets hotter in the area of responsibility the daily amount of fuel passed will only increase.

"If you were to stand next to Niagara Falls and watch the water flow over the cliff for 22 minutes, that is the amount of fuel we have passed to American and Coalition aircraft since September 11," said General Roggero.

The 9th ARS flew 2,500 sorties and more than 14,000 flying hours and off-loaded 100 million pounds of fuel in 2006. The squadron participated in Capstone missions transporting 110 general officers and sent the first-ever KC-10 to Columbia and Pakistan.

"I'm extremely proud of the hard work and dedication the 9th ARS booms have put forth in the last year; they deserve this award," said Master Sgt. Jeff Boom, 9th ARS. "Their outstanding accomplishments are no different than any other year so to be recognized at this level solidifies their efforts. I'm also extremely proud that the Travis KC-10 booms have won the Evans Trophy four out of the last five years."

Travis's 60th Air Mobility Wing leadership also attended the presentation.

"I'm extremely proud of our 9th ARS boom operators," said Col. Jim Baron, 60th Operations Group commander. "They do an outstanding job, as do all our Airmen in the 60th OG. It's great to see them get the recognition in a tough field of competitors. Our air refueling squadrons work hard day-in and day-out to provide the best air refueling support to receivers from not only the United States, but our coalition partners around the globe. This honor is a reflection of the quality Airmen we have in the OG and their exceptional performance during a time of extremely high operations tempo."

The Evans award was established in memory of Senior Master Sgt. Albert Evans, a pioneer in the history of Strategic Air Command's air refueling operations. The purpose of the trophy is to annually recognize, on a rotational basis, the outstanding boom operator section within the Air Force, based on the collective accomplishments and professional qualities of the assigned boom operators.

"I am thrilled that our boom operators have been recognized for the incredible work they are doing," said Lt. Col. Kurt Meidel, 9th ARS commander. "I truly believe the boom community is the lifeblood of the KC-10 weapon system. Their professionalism and technical skill enables our strike aircraft to accomplish their vital mission of protecting the lives of Coalition ground troops. Here at home, their volunteer work makes a tremendous impact on Team Travis and beyond to our local communities."

The 6th ARS won the same award in 2005. They were presented with their permanent award at the same ceremony.