Air Force MASF is last stop for some hurricane victims in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS -- Maj. Stacia Blyeu comforts an elderly patient at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport moments before she is evacuated from here Sept. 3. Major Blyeu is a flight nurse with the 452nd Air Evacuation Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt Jack Braden)

304th Sustainment Brigade Move to March Air Reserve Base

HMMWVs (High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) approach a C-17 Globemaster III from March Air Reserve Base for upload on July15, 2006 at Pt Mugu Naval Air Station, Calif., during the 304th Sustainment Brigade Movement. The primary mission is to move the 304th SBDE from Pt Mugu to March Air Reserve Base.The exercise included training for command and control, air to ground airlift and tanker communications, equipment preparation, joint inspection and rapid simultaneous onload of 5 C-17 chalks of outsized cargo and maintenance recovery and parking planning. (USAF photo by Senior Airman Francisco V. Govea II)

Aerial refueling

A KC-135R from the 336th Air Refueling Squadron refuels a C-17A from the 729th Airlift Squadron Dec. 6, 2005 over Arizona. Both aircraft are from the Air Force Reserve Command's 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt Rick Sforza, 4th Combat Camera Squadron)

452nd AMW receives fifth outstanding Unit Award

Published Feb. 22, 2007
By 1st Lt. Caroline J. Lorimer
452 AMW/PA

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. --     The 452nd Air Mobility Wing has been awarded its fifth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in recognition of its efforts Oct. 1, 2004-Sept. 30, 2006.
   "It's truly an outstanding organization," said Commander Brig. Gen. James L. Melin. "It's been doing the nation's business and deserves the recognition."
   Anyone assigned to the unit between during the two-year period is eligible to wear the red, white and blue ribbon. The award has been presented since 1954 to units which distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above and apart from similar units. This is the fifth time the wing has earned the outstanding unit award. The last time was in 2004.
   During the two-year period recognized for this award, the 452nd was highly involved across the globe, transporting people, cargo and fuel. It retired its fleet of C-141 Starlifters and stood up a new squadron of C-17 Globemaster aircraft, finishing the enormous task two years ahead of schedule. It also expanded its fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers.
   The 452nd aeromedically evacuated more than 4,500 troops during an 8-month time span and its reservists supported relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by transporting supplies and personnel. The 452nd Maintenance Group had a 90 percent aircraft departure rate. Not only did 600 reservists volunteer to deploy to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, but they transported thousands of troops, delivered millions of pounds of cargo and refueled numerous aircraft across the globe.
   "Everyone had a role, and they should be proud," said General Melin. "I'm glad to be here and proud to be associated with the people in this organization and hope to help them continue with their success."