35th OG Aviation Resource Management soars to top in PACAF

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melanie A. Hutto
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  U.S. Pacific Air Forces presented the 35th Operations Group Aviation Resource Management team at Misawa Air Base, Japan, with the Sergeant Dee Campbell Outstanding Small Unit of the Year award.

The aviation resource managers received the award for their actions in three categories--direct operational support to the unit’s mission, support for unit initiatives and management of ARM resources in fiscal year 2017. The award is named in honor of Sergeant Dee Campbell, an ARM who was killed in 1996 by a truck bomb explosion at Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

“I feel deeply humbled for my team to receive this award,” said Master Sgt. Miranda Jackson, the 35th Operations Support Squadron ARM functional manager and 13th Fighter Squadron superintendent. “Winning the award shows my Airmen all their work did not go unnoticed.”

Each 35th OG flying squadron works hand-in-hand with their aviation resource management section to ensure mission success.

The host aviation resource management office and the squadron aviation resource management office ensure aircrews are trained and prepared to provide worldwide deployable forces, protect U.S. interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and defend Japan with sustained forward presence and focused mission support.

The ARM team supported three multi-national exercises, sustaining more than 2,000 flying sorties for 129 aircraft. During Red Flag-Alaska 17-2, the team streamlined the operations desk process, resulting in smoother operations flow for 33 units from around the world and enhanced combat readiness of U.S. and allied forces.

The HARM office manages flight pay, creates aeronautical orders and assesses the physical and psychological ability of the aircrew, authorizing each individual to fly.

The SARM office authorizes flights and sorties, tracks individual training and reviews post-mission paperwork to ensure the success of the PACAF mission.

“We handle a lot of paperwork that could make or break whether a pilot is flying that day,” said Senior Airman Tyler Keifer, a 13th Fighter Squadron aviation resource manager journeyman. “We try to find any way to prevent an aviator from begin grounded, and when we succeed, it's a good day for everybody.”

Notably, the team oversaw two Tennessee Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotankers’ visits to Misawa AB, enabling 40 F-16s to be refueled mid-flight, ultimately doubling training sorties in a day and saving the Air Force $405,000.

Mission completion depends heavily upon the resources on the ground. With the help from these offices, Team Misawa is able to maintain the ‘Fight Tonight’ mentality.

The 35th OG ARM team won the Air Force-level Outstanding Small Unit of the Year award last year. With the recognition of being the best in PACAF for FY17, they will compete at the Air Force level again.

"The Wild Weasel aviation resource management team constantly demonstrates professionalism, leadership and phenomenal proficiency," said Col. Jason Cockrum, 35th OG commander. "Being named the PACAF Sergeant Dee Campbell Team of the Year is no accident. Their job requires extreme attention to detail from all members, and we could not accomplish the Wing's flying mission without them. I am so proud of this team of professionals; they truly earned this award."