Award Given For Efficiency, Excellence
Two squadrons from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 earned the Battle
Efficiency (Battle "E") Award for efficiency excellence for fiscal
year (FY) 2009.
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 "Rampagers" and Electronic
Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 "Patriots," learned Feb. 10 that they won
the award for their sustained superior performance in an
operational environment.
Two squadrons from each aircraft community, one from each coast,
were selected for the Battle "E." "It's a major achievement for the
squadrons and definitely something they should be proud of," said
Capt. Roy "Trigger" Kelley, Commander CVW 7. "With this
announcement, you will see these squadrons out there painting that
big "E" on the tails of their jets to let everyone know that they
were the Battle "E" squadron."
Kelley noted the final decision to determine who is the most
deserving of the "Battle E" is based on quantifiable metrics that
include flight-hour efficiency, boarding rates, safety records,
material readiness of the aircraft, qualification milestones,
reenlistment and retention statistics within the squadron, and
inspection results. Squadrons are also graded on general
contributions to their platforms, said Kelley.
"VAQ 140 developed new tactics they could use for missions
supporting OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom), making a contribution
to the EA-6B community and to aviation as a whole," said Kelly.
The award is a credit to the dedication from Sailors throughout
the squadrons, said Kelly.
"FY-09 has been a year of hard work for the Rampagers," said
Cmdr. Scott Kartvedt, VFA 83's commanding officer. "Our continued
prioritization of people, professionalism and mission over the last
12 months has resulted in quantifiable successes, not only for the
squadron as a whole, but also for key outstanding individuals on
our team. Throughout FY09, our focus has been on operational
readiness and the support of national defense policy as an integral
part of Carrier Air Wing 7 and the Ike Strike Group."
From the most junior Sailors to the most seasoned aircrew it is
a team effort to win the Battle "E", said VAQ 140's Command Master
Chief William Lloyd-Owen. "It is truly inspiring to watch several
work centers pitch in to help each other get the job done. It is
not uncommon to see our yeomen and our hospital corpsman in the
hanger bay helping jack up an aircraft. The Patriots take the
concept of teamwork seriously. To win the Battle "E" in a time of
war is something every Patriot can take pride in."
The "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 also
received the Battle 'E." VRC 40 Detachment 3 provides critical
logistical support to the strike group, delivering supplies,
people, and mail. The squadron also provided support to Operation
Unified Response by transporting more than 300 tons of humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief cargo to the people of Haiti after
the country was struck with a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake
Jan. 12.
CVW 7 is currently embarked aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN
69) underway to support maritime security operations in the U.S.
5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
ANN Salutes Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chad R. Erdmann,
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs.