HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. </B>- The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division received the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence in the large competition category at Hunter Army Airfield, Sept. 30. Col. Don Galli received the award from Brig. Gen. Thomas Vandal, 3rd ID deputy commanding general-support.
"This is a reflection of all the hard work the Soldiers have put into maintenance," said Brig. Gen. Vandal. "This is a well deserved award for a job well done. You represent the best of maintenance, certainly in this division, but also certainly across the Army as well."
The AAME recognizes exceptional accomplishments in maintenance, effective use of maintenance resources, innovated management accomplishments and personnel quality of life programs such as self-help programs and community projects.
"The 3rd CAB, with obviously a lot of hard work from 603rd (Aviation Support Battalion) has earned this award for having the best maintenance program," said Brig. Gen. Vandal. "Not only did they accomplish this, they did so while deployed in combat for 15 months. It's absolutely phenomenal."
According to the AAME citation, the aviation brigade earned their award for "maintaining their aircraft in a superior manner...resulting in unprecedented aviation combat power." In addition the CAB maintained the highest operational tempo while in theater, exceeding the Department of the Army standards while also working to reduce the workload of maintenance Soldiers.
"We do have a thankless job and it's not needed," said Spc. Dominic Mikus, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd CAB, 3rd ID. "It is gratifying to see that with all this hard work we have been doing, someone is taking notice and we are having an impact on the mission."
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