Vet News: 2015 Phoenix Award Winner Announced

The Department of Defense announced the 2015 winner of the Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence on Dec. 8, at this year's secretary of defense awards ceremony. The Phoenix Award is presented annually to designate the single best maintenance unit out of that year's six Secretary of Defense Field-Level Maintenance Award winners.

This year's recipient of the Phoenix Award is the 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (801 SOAMXS), Hurlburt Field, Florida.  In FY 2014, the unit's maintenance actions produced over 1,200 sorties and 3,500 flying hours, more than 28 percent of the 1st Special Operations Wing's mission.  Heavily engaged in Overseas Contingency Operations, the unit facilitated safe transportation and recovery of three battle damaged CV-22 aircraft valued at $267 million dollars for subsequent depot repair.  In addition, the unit achieved a deployed mission capable rate that exceeded the command standard by 24 percent.  Vigilant in innovation, the 801 SOAXMS authored 328 engineer requests resulting in modifications that saved over $8 million dollars and 2,000 man-hours.  Equally impressive, the unit produced mission capable assets an average 33 percent faster than similarly equipped units accomplishing major aircraft phase inspection and repair.  These accomplishments have designated the 801 SOAMXS as this year's best field-level maintenance unit in the Department of Defense.