31st MUNS receives SECDEF award, re-designates to 731st MUNS

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
  • 31st Fighter Wing public affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  One of three 31st Maintenance Group units here who were a part of a process which re-designated two units in July and August, was selected to receive the 2009 Secretary of Defense Field-level Maintenance Award--small category.

On July 31, the first re-designation took place changing the 31st Munitions Squadron at Camp Darby, Italy to the 731st MUNS as they are a geographically separated unit of the 31st Fighter Wing. Following the re-designation, the Airmen assigned to the 731st MUNS received word on Aug. 17 they were selected for one of the annual SECDEF awards during their actions previously as the 31st MUNS.

Four units within the wing have received the SECDEF award for their work in 2000, 2002, 2005, and in 2008 for being one of the most outstanding field-level military maintenance units. There were 23 units throughout the DoD submitted and two units were selected in the small, medium and large categories.

"This award is solid evidence of the professionalism and commitment our Airmen and non-commissioned officers display daily," said Lt. Col. Nate Hancock, 731st MUNS commander. "I'm very proud to be part of their unit."

"It is my duty to see that we do not rest upon our laurels and that we keep our focus on the mission; war readiness," said the commander. "We will guarantee the warfighter reliable munitions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and always work in accordance with Air Force instructions and technical orders."

Chief Master Sgt. Erick Hays, 731st MUNS superintendent, said the men and women of the 731st MUNS work diligently every day to overcome the challenges associated with being assigned to a geographically separated unit.

"Receiving this award is truly an honor and a well deserved recognition," said Chief Hays.

Shortly after the announcement of the award, approximately 260 Airmen from the 31st Maintenance Squadron armament and munitions flights were extracted to form the re-designated 31st MUNS now physically assigned to Aviano Air Base on Aug. 21 following the change of command ceremony of the 31st MXS, also known as the Griffins, held the same day.

For about five hours on Aug. 21, Maj. Michael Donahue, the new 31st MUNS commander didn't have a job. Earlier that day, he passed on the 31st MXS unit guidon to Maj. Robert Blake during a change of command ceremony and waited for the 31st MUNS to be re-designated before he could assume command of his third unit since becoming an officer.

"The flightline is a volume business and they do a whole lot of work on the flightline," said Major Donahue, a 19-year veteran with five years enlisted time--all maintenance and munitions on multiple aircrafts from cargo, to bombers and now fighters. "As a MXS commander, you have such a diverse group of people working on the jet in many different AFSCs and their work is totally different from one another... they do amazing work.

"It was fantastic to be associated with those professionals. It was definitely one of the best jobs I've ever had--I'll never forget it--being a Griffin was awesome," he added.
 
Despite all the changes, Major Donahue said the transition for the 260 Airmen who made the move with him should be seamless as they've already worked for him and know what to expect from him as their commander.

"They just get more of me ... and that was the point," said Major Donahue. "The 31st MXS is probably the most diverse maintenance unit on base. They have their hands full with a lot of aging aircraft as the F-16 continues to provide us opportunities to practice our maintenance in maintaining the health of the fleet.

"Over here, we're better able to focus on our conventional role with supporting NATO and any other roles we may be given," the commander said. "It also allows the maintainers to better focus on the health of the fleet and our armament and munitions Airmen to hone our skills now that we're a separate entity."

The 6th/927th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., was the other Air Force unit to receive the 2009 SECDEF award.

A SECDEF maintenance awards ceremony and banquet is scheduled for Oct. 28 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona, as part of the 2009 DoD Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition. One of the highlights of the awards ceremony will be the presentation of the SECDEF's Phoenix Trophy. The recipient of the Phoenix Trophy is selected from the six SECDEF field-level maintenance award winners and is recognized as the "Best of the Best" maintenance unit within the DoD. The Phoenix Trophy is the highest award for field-level maintenance.