JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- -- The 305th Operations Support Squadron received the 2018 Air Mobility Command Outstanding OSS of the Year Award on Sept. 12.
The award is given based on different functions squadrons provide and how they exceed expectations both as a team and individually. The 305th OSS is comprised of 420 U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and civilian personnel; providing equipment, operations support and delivering combat ready Airmen to improve Rapid Global Mobility for the entire joint base and mission partners.
The squadron competed against 13 other squadrons within Air Mobility Command for the Major Command level award. With the wide range of capabilities they perform including Intelligence, Tactics, Training, Aircrew Flight Equipment Support, Radar Airfield Weather System Support, Airfield Operations Support Flight, a KC-10 Extender Formal Training Unit and more, they were able to take home the award.
During that time, these functions worked together to complete the mission as well as aid in the unexpected but safe landing of an aircraft that experienced equipment failure. The squadron also supported a Deployable Radar Airfield and Weather System and Tactical Air Navigation System along with two airfields, relaying air traffic control for 14 different airports all across New Jersey.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Corey Langford, 305th Operations Support Squadron tower chief controller. “We have a lot of personnel within the squadron that are doing a lot of great things and I think that it speaks volumes, not only to the dedication of the Airmen within the OSS to continue to hold themselves to a high standard, but it also says a lot about the leadership within our squadron: insuring that we have the ability to focus on our jobs and be really good at what we do.”
The award accomplishments was a group effort with Sailors who control and operate all airfield operations at Lakehurst Maxfield Field, and U.S. Army ground liaison officers who are embedded with the Wing Tactics Flight as an inter-service liaison cell between the Army and Air Force.
U.S. Army Capt. Seth Corrigan, 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment ground liaison officer, worked with his intelligence, tactics and training counterparts to develop, plan and execute several High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Air/Land Raids (HI-RAINs) training opportunities with Army units across the country. Not only did they receive the AMC level award for all of their accomplishments within the unit as a team, but they were also recognized for their significant individual accomplishments.
“We have instituted a culture of personal and professional development,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James Kerley, 305th OSS commander. “One of the things I’m most proud of is all of the self-improvement.”
In 2018 the 305th OSS hosted their first fighter alert mission and also won an Aircraft Save Award for aiding in the safe landing of an aircraft that experienced equipment failure, both of which also contributed to winning the MAJCOM level award.
“The people in this squadron are so willing to learn, challenge themselves and adapt to get the mission done,” said Kerley. “I’m very proud because it’s reflective of the amazing work going on within the huge and diverse squadron every day. It offers each person in the squadron an opportunity to be proud of the work that they do – This is a huge team award.”