Bergman Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Nice accomplishment! I do take a litle umbrage with using the term "Best Squadron" when only air defense units were included, as IMHO the best fighter squadron in the CAF today has got to be someone actually fighting. I've highlighted a few lines that I found interesting. 2/22/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- On Feb. 16, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz announced that Kadena's 67th Fighter Squadron earned the Raytheon Trophy for 2011. The annual award, originally started by the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1953, is now sponsored by Raytheon Systems Corporation and is given to the top air superiority or air defense squadron in the Air Force. "The 67th Fighter Squadron clearly displayed its superior ability to dominate the sky anywhere in the world," Schwartz said. "My congratulations to the men and women of the 67th Fighter Squadron." The Raytheon Trophy is the most prestigious award that can be bestowed upon any fighter squadron, said Lt. Col. Robert Cioppa, the 67th Fighter Squadron commander. "Based on our competition, I feel extremely fortunate and honored the 67th FS was selected above all the truly outstanding squadrons in the Combat Air Forces," Cioppa said. In the past, he said, only fighter intercept units could compete for the trophy, but in 1970 the challenge was opened to any squadron performing air defense as their primary mission, including the Air National Guard as well as the active duty Air Force. Units are graded on air defense and air superiority mission performance; operational mission performance; organizational readiness inspection results; training exercise participation; unit achievements and awards; individual achievements and awards; and unit incentive programs. Cioppa said the praise for the award should be given to the Airmen from the squadron and aircraft maintenance unit. "The credit for this award truly belongs with the men and women of the 67th FS and AMU," he said. "In my career, I have never seen any fighter squadron endure the operations tempo the 67th FS had in 2011. We answered the call on two short-notice, real-world deployments, deployed aircraft and personnel to three different continents and ten different countries while supporting multiple joint and international exercises. When (U.S. Central Command) called for air superiority, the 67th FS and AMU were in place and stood up operations within three weeks. "In my opinion, the U.S. Air Force has never had a finer or more expeditionary fighter squadron than the 67th Fighter Squadron Fighting Cocks, he added. "I am pleased all their hard work, outstanding performance and sacrifices in 2011 didn't go unnoticed by our senior Air Force (leaders)." As a power projection platform for the Pacific Air Forces, Cioppa said winning the trophy further proves the squadron's significance in today's Air Force, but also said it couldn't have been won without the Airmen's unwavering dedication to the mission. "Winning the Raytheon Trophy recognizes the 18th Wing as PACAF's and the U.S. Air Force's most essential asset for airpower projection," he said. "This award recognizes the intense work, diligent efforts and professionalism of not only the 67th, but also the supporting organizations vital to accomplishing our mission. We could not have won this award without the extraordinary teamwork between operations, maintenance and support functions." Schwartz said the competition this year was keen, with the 493rd Fighter Squadron, from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and the 77th Fighter Squadron, from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., also competing. "Each nominated squadron demonstrated the best our Air Force has to offer, and I am proud of all of their accomplishments," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matmacwc Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Good for them but what a joke, Gamblers should have won it, but I'm biased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClearedHot Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 There has to be some reward for flying endless orbits in the Bozosphere while the rest of us are down low doing actual fighting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClearedHot Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Nah, don't think us tanker toads have one yet. Guess job satisfaction is its own reward. The tanker bros in OEF were down low, and I mean low...during OEF, at least on a few missions where they saved me. I don't think anyone doubts the tanker guys are making a huge contribution to the current fight. The bigger point is with the Air Force engaged in 21 years of non-stop combat ops you would think the squadron of the year would at least be part of the fight, no flying "exercises" and training rides. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osulax05 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Good for them but what a joke, Gamblers should have won it, but I'm biased. "All aces..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bergman Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 The tanker bros in OEF were down low, and I mean low...during OEF, at least on a few missions where they saved me. I don't think anyone doubts the tanker guys are making a huge contribution to the current fight. I didn't get your meaning at first...thought it was a subtle dig on the mighty Stratotanker. And I'm cool with that...anyone that knows me knows I love flippin' shit. Even if I'm "only" a tanker guy. The bigger point is with the Air Force engaged in 21 years of non-stop combat ops you would think the squadron of the year would at least be part of the fight, no flying "exercises" and training rides. Caught yourmeaning after a second read. Agree completely, thus my highlighting of the fact that they got the award for supporting exercises and were somehow lauded for "only" taking 3 weeks to deploy. Someone remind me...how long did it take to kick off OUP last spring? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Noonin Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Nowhere does it say that this award is the overall squadron of the year or CAF squadron of the year or fighter squadron of the year. This award has been around for decades and is given out to the top air-to-air squadron by Raytheon. So I guess I'm missing how this should have gone to a unit "in the fight" if the award criteria were purely air defense related. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClearedHot Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 (edited) Nowhere does it say that this award is the overall squadron of the year or CAF squadron of the year or fighter squadron of the year. This award has been around for decades and is given out to the top air-to-air squadron by Raytheon. So I guess I'm missing how this should have gone to a unit "in the fight" if the award criteria were purely air defense related. You are correct, what I should have said is it is nonsensical to publicly celebrate an air to air squadron only when they have done nothing more than orbits for the past 9 years. The Eagle guys spend enough time slapping each others back (and butts at Kadena), so why divert attention from guys actually doing the mission. When the big furball happens over the straights I'll be sure to don my "Eagle Guys Rule T-shirt", until then not so much. Edited February 23, 2012 by ClearedHot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Noonin Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 So the company that makes air to air radars and AMRAAMs gives out an award to units that use air to air radars and AMRAAMs and it's somehow a slap in the face to everyone else? Aren't there more interesting things to bitch about? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosuper Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 So the company that makes air to air radars and AMRAAMs gives out an award to units that use air to air radars and AMRAAMs and it's somehow a slap in the face to everyone else? Aren't there more interesting things to bitch about? Back in the early 80's my squadron got the best OMS in USAFE award at EGUN every year I was station there, we were the only OMS (Organizational Mx SQ) in USAFE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bergman Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 So the company that makes air to air radars and AMRAAMs gives out an award to units that use air to air radars and AMRAAMs and it's somehow a slap in the face to everyone else? I was more irritated that the title of the story was, "AF names best fighter squadron" and the award itself was for air defense only. I should have posted this in the "Shitty public affairs" thread. Aren't there more interesting things to bitch about? Probably. Find something and start a thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matmacwc Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 So the company that makes air to air radars and AMRAAMs gives out an award to units that use air to air radars and AMRAAMs and it's somehow a slap in the face to everyone else? Aren't there more interesting things to bitch about? First AMRAAM kill wasn't from an Eagle, I love bringing that up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 You are correct, what I should have said is it is nonsensical to publicly celebrate an air to air squadron only when they have done nothing more than orbits for the past 9 years. The Eagle guys spend enough time slapping each others back (and butts at Kadena), so why divert attention from guys actually doing the mission. When the big furball happens over the straights I'll be sure to don my "Eagle Guys Rule T-shirt", until then not so much. I did The Eagle guys were there pre-night one for us in OIF. IThe quickest and easiest response any Eagle has to comments like this is... "If the Hogs/Gunships/fill-in-the-blank were as feared and effective as the Eagle the Iraqis would've been burying their tanks, not their MiGs." First AMRAAM kill wasn't from an Eagle, I love bringing that up. They killed 'em up close in WW DS. Pretty impressive when you look at the shot ranges vs what everyone talks about now. And no, I'm not sweet on any Eagle guys...but it is nice to skate on a clean sheet of ice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClearedHot Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 So the company that makes air to air radars and AMRAAMs gives out an award to units that use air to air radars and AMRAAMs and it's somehow a slap in the face to everyone else? Aren't there more interesting things to bitch about? I could care less about the contract giving out an award to stroke their customer...making it front page news and a CSAF worthy item however does make it bitch-worthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OL Patch Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 but it is nice to skate on a clean sheet of ice... Exactly. Couldn't be said any better...get the guys on the ice to score. Keep'em safe. That is the mission. OL Patch PS--It was such a political crock of s...award that most SQs I was in never even submitted packages. Agree with CH...why publicize when there are people doing the "real deal"...how bout highlight the Pedros every frickin day until they come home! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClearedHot Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 ...how bout highlight the Pedros every frickin day until they come home! Amen brother...I would much rather see CSAF flying to Pedro base X every weekend with 69 cases of beer and chicken wings. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 ...flying to Pedro base X every weekend with 69 cases of beer and chicken wings. I volunteer to do that job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chapter29 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Amen brother...I would much rather see CSAF flying to Pedro base X every weekend with 69 cases of beer and chicken wings. Great theory. I can see it now...packages are due to the OG/CC by COB tomorrow on who will actually drink beer and eat chicken wings with the CSAF...nominees will have a minimum of blah blah blah.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl Hungus Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Great theory. I can see it now...packages are due to the OG/CC by COB tomorrow on who will actually drink beer and eat chicken wings with the CSAF...nominees will have a minimum of blah blah blah.... Sad but true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backseatdriver Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 In my opinion, the U.S. Air Force has never had a finer or more expeditionary fighter squadron than the 67th Fighter Squadron Really? How about the fighter squadrons that have actually been "expeditionary"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BQZip01 Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Aren't there more interesting things to bitch about? Yes...but we'll still bitch about it anyway Carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Yes...but we'll still bitch.pptx about it anyway Carry on! FIFY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isuguy1234 Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Rumor has it, the trophy's movin down the road to the 44th this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slander Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Only cool if they provide a lesson in 3-1 brevity like the cocks did last year via GoPro and self congratulating stock footage use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzz Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Vampire Bats named Air Force's top air superiority squadron ...so how's this for an OPR bullet: (...I hate to recycle it, but holy fuck, they leave me no choice!) Don't even apologize for using this, because I'm again almost in tears from laughing so hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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