Joint forces reserve Marine forces stand out Published Feb. 21, 2013 By Sgt. Ray Lewis U. S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve NEW ORLEANS -- There's an old Marine Corps adage that says, "Marines are forged with a drive for excellence and a healthy dose of competitive spirit." The Marines and Sailors of Marine Forces Reserve showed their drive and spirit throughout the year, with two units receiving recognition for their service members' efforts. The 4th Marine Logistics Group and 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, based out of New Orleans, both earned awards for foodservice and safety, respectively. The 4th MAW was named winner of the Chief of Naval Operations Naval Aviation Readiness Through Safety Award and the order of the Daedalians' Adm. James S. Russell Aviation Flight Safety Award for calendar year 2012. Marine Aircraft Group 49 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., is a part of the 4th MAW and directly contributed to winning the safety award. The honor is presented annually to the controlling custodian that has contributed the most toward readiness and economy of operations through safety. The winning command must have an outstanding safety record, an aggressive safety program and a three-year improving safety trend. The unit flew more than 21,000 hours with no flight, flight-related or aviation-ground mishaps. "The 4th MAW is honored to receive the CNO Naval Aviation Readiness Through Safety Award," said Maj. Donald E. Gerber, 4th MAW standardization officer. "This award is testament of the focus on safety that is inherent across the 4th MAW. In the dynamic and challenging environment of Naval Aviation, safety is a critical element of force preservation and mission accomplishment. Without the dedication of each 4th MAW Marine, Sailor and civilian, this achievement would not have been possible." Units in the Marine Forces Reserve are dedicated not only to making life safer, but also making life sweeter, which was evidenced by the 4th MLG's Major General W.P.T. Hill award. Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, based in Portland, Ore., received the Major General W.P.T. Hill award for best field mess. "The Hill competition is a good point of emphasis for us," said Maj. Juan Svenningson, 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Headquarters and Service Company executive officer. "Participating in and winning this competition is a tremendous measure of effectiveness and capability. The ability to effectively mess in the field keeps us expeditionary." The Hill awards aim to reward high quality foodservice and recognize culinary expertise. Marines and Sailors from the 6th ESB earned the award by improving foodservice operations and encouraging excellence in the garrison and field foodservice programs. The units also contributed to improving the quality of life for Marines and Navy personnel.