The “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 received the 2011 Strike Fighter Wing Pacific (CSFWP) Scott Kirby Award for Ordnance Excellence, Feb. 6.
The award recognizes proficiency, professionalism and safety in ordnance handling and delivery. The Kestrels’ Aviation Ordnance (AO) division was chosen from an extremely competitive group among all CSFWP squadrons.
The Kestrels were graded for excellence in several areas including: the Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection, weapons requisitioning and aircraft armament equipment reporting. Throughout the year, Kestrel aviation ordnancemen were responsible for the inspection, movement, uploading, downloading and expenditure of more than two million pounds of conventional ordnance.
Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Scott Dwyer, the leading petty officer of the AO shop, is responsible for leading and instructing 20 Sailors.
“Our shop is armed with rich talent and high standards established by those from our cherished past and our present leadership,” Dwyer said. “The VFA-137 ordnance shop continues to strive for tactical excellence and remains ready to execute any contingency operation in support of national security objectives.”
“ Striving for excellence and being ready to execute any contingency are what puts us on top of the ordnance community,” Dwyer added. “It is an honor and privilege to be the recipient of this prestigious award that recognizes outstanding weapons handling and delivery capability.”
VFA-137 is one of nine squadrons with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, embarked on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, which also includes USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, with USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104) deployed.
CSG 9 is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , February 21, 2012; Image: navy