AMC commander presents 157 ARW with the Major General Stanley Newman Award

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Brooks Payette
  • 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
NASHVILLE, Tenn. --  The 157th Air Refueling Wing was recognized for its outstanding performance during the 2014 Airlift Tanker Association Air Mobility Command Symposium Nov. 1 in Nashville, Tenn.

Air Mobility Commander Gen. Darren W. McDew presented wing members with the Major General Stanley Newman Award, recognizing the Air National Guard's outstanding wing or group contributing to the overall success of the Air Mobility Command.

In a one-year period, the 157 ARW executed 1,136 sorties totaling 5,200 flying hours in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. The wing flew more operational hours than any other KC-135 ANG unit.

It was the second time the wing received the award, each under the guidance of former wing commander and current New Hampshire Joint Force Headquarters Chief of Staff Col. Paul Hutchinson. He said the award is another example of 157 ARW Airmen doing outstanding work every day.

"I was taken aback by all of the wing commanders and general officers who told me how impressed they were by the achievements of the 157ARW Airmen," said Hutchinson. "The reputation we have around the country is that of a first class organization second to none. In fact many units model their units after the 157 ARW."

Joining Hutchinson to receive the award were 157 ARW Command Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Lawrence, 2nd Lt. Brooks Payette, Master Sgt. Bradley Bogue, and Staff Sgt. Amanda Ampey.

In addition to the award presentation, the members attended the three-day symposium at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort Conference Center. There were a variety of seminars held, including updates on the KC-46A, which is slated to touch down at Pease in December 2017.

"The KC-46A continues to be one of the three highest priorities of the Air Force," said Hutchinson. "Modernization of the current tanker fleet is absolutely paramount for our military to be able to operate around the world."

The conference also highlighted the changes to the enlisted promotion system, which the ANG will adopt. The new system will focus primarily on job performance.

"The ANG will be rolling out these new forms over the next few years, but I encourage everyone to begin providing honest feedback today," said Hutchinson. "Our airmen are extremely talented and with some mentoring and feedback everyone should be able to accomplish all of their professional goals in the wing."

Conference speakers also addressed current and future budget challenges faced by the Air Force. Despite facing sequestration and other budget challenges in his final year as commander of the 157 ARW, Hutchinson said it was important to remember U.S. Airmen are part of the world's greatest air force that has never been defeated and never failed to respond to a humanitarian crisis at home or abroad.

"There has never been a better time to be an Airman and serve the state of New Hampshire or the federal government," said Hutchinson. "We should spend more time focused on the many things that are positive rather than dwell on the negative news. I would suspect the many people around the world we have liberated, fed, sheltered, or protected from a tyrant would be willing to tell us how much they appreciate our Airmen."