Cannon squadron receives AFA Citation of Honor

The 3rd Special Operations Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base has been selected as the recipient of the Air Force Association’s 2008 Air Force Association Citation of Honor.

The AFA’s Web site defines the Citation of Honor as “the outstanding contribution of an individual or organization to the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind.”

The 3rd SOS met those criteria through its support of both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Flying the MQ-1B Predator, 3rd SOS Airmen provide Special Operation Forces and higher headquarters with both video surveillance and close air support in both theaters.

The squadron’s Predators also provided battle damage assessment, 1,820 hours of highway surveillance, identified and reported improvised explosive device emplacement teams, and flew more than 60 percent of all Predator missions in both theaters.

“We were doing all of this with only 48 percent of our allotted manning,” said Lt. Col. Paul Caltagirone, 3rd SOS commander. “We were averaging 63 hours per week per person and I’m not talking about just the operators. Our combat support folks were pulling that too.”

With manning at less than 50 percent, the 3rd SOS still maintained an aggressive training program with all members on full-time flying schedules training more than 200 personnel. The 3rd SOS’s combat support section also accomplished more than 2,000 personnel updates in less than 30 days.

In the midst of its heavy support of combat operations, 3rd SOS Airmen ensured their transition to Cannon with zero impact to their operations tempo.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently highlighted the necessity of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, such as the Predator, to aid in the war on terror. Winning this award at the AFA level lends tangible credit to the spotlight placed on ISR assets, according to Caltagirone.

“Not only are we being recognized as a squadron, but ISR is being recognized as an important asset and for the incredible role it plays,” he said.

The capabilities provided by ISR assets have become an important weapon in the Air Force’s arsenal not only to commanders, but to the ground operators as well.

The 3rd SOS has provided overwatch for ground personnel on 393 raids enabling the kill or capture of 1,695 insurgents.

“This is recognition of the critical role this squadron plays in the Global War on Terror and the professionalism and dedication of its members,” the colonel said.

The 3rd SOS will receive the award from the AFA’s chairman of the board at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15.

The squadron will then be featured, along with other AFA award recipients, in the November edition of Air Force Magazine.