MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- The 315th Airlift Wing, from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded the Aircrew Excellence Award here Nov. 19.
"I am incredibly proud! The crew went through so much to make the mission happen. They did what they had to do under extraordinary circumstances. Most importantly, they kept everyone aboard that aircraft safe," commented Col. Caroline Evernham, 315th Operations Group commander.
This year's selection process was among the most competitive, with each wing submitting high quality nomination packages, said Lt. Col. CJ Bentley, 4th Air Force process manager. The Aircrew Excellence Award was one of four honors presented at the ceremony.
Headquarters Fourth Air Force and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Military Affairs Committee hosted the 16th Annual Raincross Trophy Dinner at the Riverside Convention Center, which was attended by commanders and command chiefs representing each wing in the numbered Air Force, as well as local community leaders.
The Raincross Trophy was reinstated in 1998 after the NAF headquarters relocated from McClellan Air Force Base, California to March Air Reserve Base, Calif.
"The competition for these awards is really a matter of pride in Fourth Air Force," said Maj. Gen. John C. Flournoy, Jr., 4 AF commander. "The decision is never easy because each wing has a unique mission set. Every wing is performing far above expectations."
Three other awards were announced at the ceremony:
The 439th Airlift Wing, Westover ARB, Massachusetts, was awarded the 2015 Raincross Trophy
The 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grisson ARB, Indiana, earned The Chief Master Sgt. James K. Clouse Trophy, for maintenance excellence.
The 927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill ARB, Florida, received The Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell, Jr. Trophy, in recognition of being the best Mission Support Group in 4 AF.