87th CS earns AMC awards Published Nov. 14, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Air Mobility Command officials recently announced the AMC Information Dominance and Gen. John P. Jumper Excellence in Warfighting Integration awards for 2011. Every fiscal year, each communications squadron is afforded the opportunity to compete within their major command for individual, flight and unit awards. Maj. Jesse Jaramillo, 87th Communications Squadron director of operations, was awarded the General Jumper Outstanding Officer Award. The award recognizes individuals for sustained superior performance and outstanding contributions to the integration of Air Force warfighting and operations support capabilities that shorten the kill chain and enhance the decision cycle. Jaramillo led Operation NEW DAWN close-air-support, electronic-warfare and air-assault plans for three U.S. Army Special Forces groups, 14 U.S. and Iraqi battalions and more than 1,750 troops. He integrated $2.1 billion in joint tactical aircraft for 18 Green Beret teams to enable 179 raids and 452 sorties culminating in 404 enemy captures or elimination. He guided 14 Air Mobility Command operational tests aboard 20 various aircraft across 15 Air Force bases to evaluate acquisition programs worth more than $11 billion. "Jesse is a phenomenal officer and well deserving of this AMC-level award," said Lt. Col. Heather Blackwell, 87th Communications Squadron commander. "His work for Special Operations Task Force North, supporting close air support and electronic warfare, was quintessential to enhancing the decision cycle and shortening the kill chain. I wish him the best of luck as he competes at the Air Force level." The 87th CS was awarded the Air Force Lieutenant General Harold W. Grant Award. This award recognizes cyberspace and information dominance squadrons for sustained superior performance and professional excellence while managing core cyberspace and information dominance functions and contributions that most improved Air Force and/or Department of Defense operations and missions. The 87th CS supported more than 44 thousand personnel spanning five wings and 88 tenant units across the DOD's only tri-service joint base. The squadron deployed 49 personnel to 11 locations throughout five countries. The squadron members overhauled the installation's records management program streamlining 350 units. They increased the compliance rate from 32 percent to 98 percent. "Lieutenant General Harold W. Grant Award is a major accomplishment for our squadron," said Blackwell. "It represents the hard work of each and every one of our Airmen, NCOs, SNCOs, civilians, contractors and officers. Our 87th CS team works diligently to support all missions across Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, while also being good wingmen to one another. I am very proud to have the opportunity to work with these outstanding professionals every day."