NEW ORLEANS -- There’s an old Marine Corps adage that says, “Marines are forged with a drive for excellence and a healthy dose of competitive spirit.”
The Marines and sailors of Marine Forces Reserve showed their drive and spirit, as two of the major subordinate commands, 4th Marine Logistics Group and 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, were each recently recognized.
Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, based in Portland, Ore., was awarded the Major General W.P.T. Hill award for best field mess.
“The W.P.T. Hill competition is a good point of emphasis for us,” said Maj. Juan Svenningson, Executive Officer for Headquarters and Service Company, 6th ESB. “Participating in and winning this competition is a tremendous measure of effectiveness and capability. The ability to effectively mess in the field keeps us expeditionary.”
The Hill awards aim to reward high quality food service and recognize culinary expertise. 6th ESB achieved this award by improving food service operations and encouraging excellence in the garrison and field foodservice programs, as well as contributing to improving the quality of life for Marines and Navy personnel.
Marine Forces Reserve is not only making life sweeter, it’s making it safer as well.
The 4th Marine Air Wing was named winner of the Naval Aviation Readiness through Safety Award and the order of the Daedalians' Adm. James S. Russell Aviation Flight Safety Award for Calendar Year 2012.
The honor is presented annually to the controlling custodian that has contributed the most toward readiness and economy of operations through safety. The winning command must have an outstanding safety record, an aggressive safety program and a three-year improving safety trend.
The unit flew over 21,000 hours with no flight, flight related or aviation ground mishaps.
“4th MAW is honored to receive the CNO's Naval Aviation Readiness Through Safety Award,” Maj. Donald E. Gerber, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Standardization Officer. “This award is testament of the focus on safety that is inherent across 4th MAW. In the dynamic and challenging environment of Naval Aviation, safety is a critical element of force preservation and mission accomplishment. Without the dedication of each 4th MAW Marine, Sailor and civilian this achievement would not have been possible.”