GRAPEVINE, Texas — This weekend, the Connecticut National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing is being honored as the Air National Guard’s top airlift unit, according to a release from Gov. Ned Lamont.
The 103rd Airlift Wing is receiving the Major General Stanley F.H. Newman Award from the Airlift/Tanker Association, a group of aviation professionals committed to supporting military airlift. The organization is honoring the Connecticut unit during its annual convention in Grapevine, Texas.
The award is a national accolade presented each year to the most outstanding Air National Guard wing in the country. The 103rd Airlift Wing was selected for its performance between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
Lamont said that over the years, he has seen the Connecticut National Guard do amazing things on behalf of the residents of Connecticut and the United States. He applauded their professionalism, dependability and leadership, describing them as being second to none.
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“The 103rd Airlift Wing has provided exceptional support to our military forces in support of operations all over the world, and their bravery, teamwork and exemplary skills make Connecticut proud,” Lamont said. “I congratulate the unit on receiving this national award in recognition of their accomplishments. The 103rd Airlift Wing is a model of patriotism.”
Major General Francis Evon, commander of the Connecticut National Guard, extended his congratulations to the men and women of the 103rd Airlift Wing on behalf of the entire operation. He considers the award to be a remarkable achievement representative of the unit's unwavering dedication, professionalism and excellence in service.
“You continue to exemplify what it means to be part of Connecticut’s Home Team, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way you represent our state and nation,” Evon said. “Your commitment to excellence and mission readiness sets the standard, and I look forward to witnessing your continued success.”
According to Lamont’s release, the 103rd Airlift Wing is among the most operationally engaged tactical airlift units in the Total Air Force. Over the 12 months that the award covered, the unit was chosen to lead a four-ship C-130 Hercules force element while in the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility during Exercise Mobility Guardian. The unit additionally offered expert tactical airlift capability for the European Command area of responsibility during exercise Air Defender.
Furthermore, the 103rd Airlfit Wing delivered a C-130 Hercules aircraft to Uruguay to support the Connecticut National Guard’s State Partnership Program and the United States Southern Command’s campaigning objectives.
This past May, the unit finished its "Air Mobility Command, Inspector General-observed, Readiness Exercise Validation," where the 103rd Air Wing Inspector General was labeled as the “golf standard” in planning, executing and reporting on largescale combat readiness exercise, according to Lamont’s release.
The Airlift/Tanker Association is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting a forum for ensuring American military forces continue to have the air mobility capability necessary to put in place U.S national security strategy. Members range from active duty to guard to reserve and retired military members, both officers and enlisted, as well as civilian and industry supporters of the air mobility mission.
The Major General Stanley F.H. Newman Award was named after the U.S. Army Air Corps pilot who was credited with shooting down the last German airplane of World War II. Newman died at age 99 on April 22, 2023.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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