AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Since World War II the European theater hadn’t seen a larger air drop than the one Aviano Airmen conducted in 2016.
Aviano Air Base's own 724th Air Mobility Squadron, an Air Mobility Command tenant unit, loaded more than one million pounds of cargo in under one week during Exercise Saber Junction 16. The caliber of support delivered to this large operation, as well as many other deployments and exercises throughout last year, earned the 724th AMS the 2016 Air Force Small Terminal of the Year award.
“These guys don’t see deployment support as a challenge, they see it as an opportunity,” said Senior Master Sgt. James Scott, 724th AMS superintendent. “And they live by the motto everyday: ‘Any challenge, always ready.’ That’s what we attribute to our success.”
The team’s success was showcased when they executed more than 500 airlift missions and moved approximately 17,500 passengers and 6,500 tons of cargo to support Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Oaken Steel and more than five combatant commands.
“We support operations into Africa, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, as well as to the President of the United States,” said Maj. Chad Wharton, 724th AMS commander. “The big buzzword right now at AMC's is Rapid Global Mobility. Our guys really projected AMC's vision worldwide.”
There are several things the 724th AMS attributes to their recognition at the Air Force and AMC levels.
“Our Airmen give it that little bit extra and a lot of them go to school and volunteer,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Fritz, 724th AMS air freight shift supervisor. We have a lot of talent and go-getters; our people want to succeed.”
The squadron also won the award in 2010 and 2014, but this is not the only thing that sets the 724th AMS apart.
“We’re not just focused on doing the mission; we’re involved in the community,” said Scott. “These guys have a drive to better themselves, the squadron and the base. The whole team concept is real with them.”