A Nellis Air Force Base aircraft maintenance unit has been singled out by the base's parent unit, Air Combat Command, as the most effective unit in the command for 2003.
The 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, which services and repairs both the Air Force's HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopter and the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle reconnaissance and attack aircraft, was recognized for being integral to the nation's success in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom during the year.
According to the squadron's commander, Lt. Col. Shawn Harrison, during the year members of the unit were deployed an average of 160 days each, resulting in at least 25 combat rescues, 3,468 aircraft sorties and 20,052 flying hours accomplished at both home and deployed locations.
The unit's Predator support efforts resulted in 12 "high value targets" damaged or destroyed by Hellfire missiles launched from the UAVs, which are home-based at Nellis' Indian Springs auxiliary field, when not deployed to other operational locations.
Predator reconnaissance missions also resulted in the capture of terrorist and rebel forces in operations against the remnants of al-Qaida and Taliban forces in Afghanistan, noted Airman Dilia DeGrego, base spokeswoman, in a report published in the Nellis Bullseye newspaper.
Gold Star for achievement
Navy Reserve Senior Chief Petty Officer Max Templeton was recently awarded the Gold Star representative of his second award of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Templeton was recognized for his sustained superior performance as command senior enlisted adviser to the commander of Naval Support Activity Bahrain Detachment G, Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center, Las Vegas.
Templeton was presented the award in recognition of his efforts to streamline the unit's annual training and mobilization processing. He was also commended for his managerial abilities and devotion to duty.
Siblings train
New Army Privates Sydiciovs Miranda and Louvane Miranda recently graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C. The brother and sister are the son and daughter of Julieta Miranda of Las Vegas.
During the nine weeks of training, the pair studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, and received instruction and in basic combat skills, weapons, chemical warfare, drill and ceremony, marksmanship, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, first aid and field training exercises.
In brief
The Henderson sailor received instruction about nuclear theory, chemistry, physics, reactor operations, safety and security. Upon completion of the course, Allred was designated a nuclear propulsion plant operator.
The four new Las Vegas area Marines began their training at 5 a.m. by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, they spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments including first aid, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training.
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