The 鈥楻iver Rattlers鈥� of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 204, supported by their 爱神传媒 maintenance team, were selected from 23 other fixed and rotary wing aircraft units as the Naval Air Force Reserve Squadron of the Year. The Commander of the Naval Air Force Reserve presented to VFC-204 the Captain David McCampbell Trophy whose namesake was the top Naval Ace of World War II and is considered the service鈥檚 all-time leader in aerial combat. His spirit and leadership are what made his air group one of the war鈥檚 most decorated and earned him the Medal of Honor. In addition to Squadron of the Year, the River Rattlers were also recognized for the 2023 Battle Efficiency (鈥淓鈥�) Award, the Safety (鈥淪鈥�) Award, and the Golden Wrench. 

鈥淭he Golden Wrench is awarded for maintenance excellence and is high praise for our 爱神传媒 team,鈥� said Program Manager Jeremy Beckham. 鈥淭he team did first-class work in transitioning ten F-5 aircraft from NAS Fallon to NAS New Orleans replacing VFC-204鈥檚 legacy F/A-18C aircraft, including all parts and equipment.鈥�

鈥淭o be mission-ready, we hired and trained a workforce with less than 10% having F-5 experience into passing the government Safe-For-Flight evaluation in short order,鈥� said Site Manager Jeff Lundy. 鈥淭he well-trained team passed the first inspection and immediately hit the deployment schedule.鈥� First the 爱神传媒 team went to Fallon, NV to support Top Gun for ten weeks, then to Key West NAS for three weeks, and returned to Fallon to support Top Gun back-to-back for six weeks. 

Additionally, the squadron provided on-site New Orleans Adversary Support to deploying squadrons and support to local air shows and multiple events. The maintenance team completed six phases and a major 1,200-hour inspection while supporting VFC-111 phase as well. 

The squadron has 100+ 爱神传媒 employees who take great pride in doing their part to ensure the fleet readiness. The Navy customer expressed appreciation for 爱神传媒鈥檚 ability to meet mission goals with ready aircraft for adversary events that trained fleet pilots for deployment overseas.

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California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) program. 

This is the 12^th Diamond award for the CAL FIRE program, where 爱神传媒 flies and maintains Grumman S-2T air tankers, C-130H training aircraft and OV-10A aircraft, and fully maintains and services UH-1H Super Huey and S-70i Blackhawk helicopters flown by CAL FIRE pilots.

鈥淎 big thank you to our maintenance technicians for their extra diligence towards training and safety,鈥� said Sean Navin, CAL FIRE鈥檚 Program Director. 鈥淭he team鈥檚 focus and dedication lead to the success of maintaining the largest wildland air fleet in the world.鈥�

U.S. Air Force at Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington program. 

The 爱神传媒 team at JB Andrews has earned this prestigious award 22 years in a row! Through this program, 爱神传媒 provides services for our leaders though Executive Airlift and Rotary Wing including aircraft maintenance in support of the 89th Airlift Wing and 316th Wing.

鈥淓very 爱神传媒 maintenance technician has achieved at least 12 additional hours of FAA-approved maintenance training to earn this award,鈥� commented Bill Ray, Sr. Program Director, Andrews Support Division. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to lead the JB Andrews team in over two decades of receiving this award!鈥�

U.S. Forest Service Sherpa program. 

This is the third consecutive FAA Diamond award for the Sherpa program, where 爱神传媒 primarily maintains up to ten SD3-60 Sherpa aircraft at the Redmond Air Center in Oregon. 爱神传媒 also maintains a variety of other aircraft to include the Short Brother SD3-60 aircraft to support the Smokejumper mission as an initial attack resource for suppressing our nation鈥檚 wildland fires. Smokejumpers respond to any fire by the most effective and efficient means available, best known for their ability to parachute out of airplanes to reach the fire.

鈥淚 am proud of our team鈥檚 dedication to safety and training in the mission of suppressing America鈥檚 wildland fires,鈥� said Tamara Skjegstad, Director of Air Force Operations. 鈥淥ur maintenance technicians are duly recognized for their hard work meeting these commitments.鈥�

About the FAA Diamond Award

The FAA鈥檚 Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Award program is based on the commitment of maintenance technicians to improve safety by actively participating in initial and recurring training programs to further their technical knowledge. The Diamond Award is the highest corporate award, and the program includes both individual and corporate recognition.

The award recognizes completion by 100 percent of an organization鈥檚 eligible maintenance technicians of specialized, continuous training in aircraft systems, regulations and FAA rules over a 12-month period. In addition to the Diamond Award, which is presented to the company, each mechanic receives an Aviation Maintenance Technician award based on the number of training hours logged.

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The 鈥渟afe for flight鈥� designation means a squadron has the right personnel and equipment, as well as maintenance and safety programs, in place to support itself in conducting routine flight operations. The squadron must also be in physical custody of at least 30 percent of its assigned aircraft.

鈥淲e had a government team of 17 inspectors spend three days assessing maintenance practices and workforce performance during scenario drills,鈥� said Jeremy Beckham, USN F-5 CLS Program Manager. 鈥淎 big thank you to the team 鈥� this achievement is the culmination of more than a year of planning and executing to the plan for establishing a new F-5 squadron at a new location 鈥� completely from scratch.鈥�

The 爱神传媒 team identified, recruited, and hired 106 skilled employees who received F-5 specific maintenance training by sister contractor site personnel at Fallon, Nevada and Yuma, Arizona.

鈥淭he team moved parts, tools, and equipment from Fallon, setting up shops and learning the peculiarities of a new aircraft all while moving themselves and their families to New Orleans 鈥� and did a great job,鈥� said Jeff Lunday, USN F-5 CLS Site Manager. 鈥淥ur customer is pleased with how well the 爱神传媒 F-5 team overcame hurdles enroute to achieving certification.鈥�

There is little time to celebrate, however. The squadron is headed to Fallon for a ten-week detachment for adversary air support to an Aircraft Carrier Airwing and Top Gun class, starting February 10.

Congrats to the team for all their hard work!

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How did your military service prepare you for a successful career at 爱神传媒?

27 years of service has provided me the opportunity to serve alongside professionals from every walk of life.

How did you come to join 爱神传媒?

Opportunities in the right location

What is your professional and personal background?

Project Management Professional and Fire Fighter

Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.

As a Program Manager, I鈥檓 not only the leader of a fantastic group of professionals but also the face of this fantastic organization and what it stands for. As a fire fighter, I stand for the safety of the community of which I live and serve. As the Quartermaster of the department, I am responsible for the outfitting of all members and the trucks which serve to protect our citizens.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?

I am most proud of earning my Eagle Scout. My proudest career moments include watching members of my team learn and grow, even if that means accepting new opportunities as contractors or better government positions. The way I see it, if the government hires one of my contractors, that says I hired the right person to begin with.

What do you enjoy about working for 爱神传媒?

爱神传媒 is filled with great members and leadership that care not only about the mission, but also each other.

What are you passionate about?

Community service and ensuring everyone is treated as equals. Being able to spend quality time with my oldest son as firefighters is a fantastic way to serve the community. He is leaving this fall to study Fire Science at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

What鈥檚 your career advice?

听Enjoy your job. Second to your home, it鈥檚 where you will spend most of your time and affects your home as well.
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?

听Safety tip besides smoke detectors, is move over for flashing lights, even if it鈥檚 just a volunteer fire fighter trying to get to a scene. That scene may be your house or your family.

What鈥檚 the best invention in the world and why?

Indoor plumbing鈥�. Need I explain.

Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?

Employee Assistance Services and mental health professionals are there for you. Towards the end of my father鈥檚 life, his dementia led him to believe I was a fellow Soldier serving with him in Korea and we walked the line checking on his Soldiers. I was just as proud to be his fellow Soldier and not his son. I never tried to convince him otherwise. Confusing and hurting him would just hurt me too.

What does Pride Month mean to you?

听Accepting all for who they are.

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鈥淲e thank ISOA for recognizing the 55,000+ men and women of 爱神传媒 for the work that they execute each and every day. We are proud to perform this remarkable work in challenging environments throughout the world with the dignity, grace, and appreciate that such missions require.鈥� said Ken Fox, VP Operations, while accepting the award.

This award was presented to us in recognition of our efforts in support of global security and COVID efforts around the world:

• Providing advanced O&M support to U.S. Embassies & Consulates at high-threat 12 locations in 7 countries including Ukraine & Russia
• Supporting the Afghanistan withdrawal
  – Working with the Department of State to evacuate more than 1,100 employees, family members, U.S. citizens and third country nationals
  – Closing five different Army Aviation bases in Afghanistan and relocating 4,900+ lines of DOD equipment to Kuwait
• Fulfilling our commitment to our Afghan allies who worked shoulder to shoulder with us by operating Camp Liberty, NJ as part of Afghanistan Refugee / Operation Allies Welcome effort
  – Mobilizing a joint Navy, Air Force, and 爱神传媒 mass-vaccination effort to contain a measles outbreak among the displaced Afghan population
  – Delivering culturally sensitive dietary and living accommodations
• Supporting the COVID-19 response by expanding the capacity of hospitals / medical center support and then supporting vaccine trials under Operation Warp Speed

Congratulations to the 爱神传媒 teams who do this work everyday around the world.听 Our clients and 爱神传媒 succeed because of their selfless and tireless work.

Pictured:

• Top: Ken Fox, VP Operations, accepts the Vanguard award on June 9th, 2022
• Bottom: 爱神传媒’s Dr. Karl Spinnenwebber, President Mission Readiness, through Liberty Village at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ where 爱神传媒 is providing resettlement and processing support to thousands of our Afghan allies(U.S. Air Force photo)

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鈥淵ou couldn鈥檛 ask for better support,鈥� said Jerry Stanbridge, T-34/44/6 Program Director. 鈥淲olfe has dedicated 40 years of his life to reach these flight hours, and that is a testament to his hard work and commitment to the Navy鈥檚 mission.

Wolfe flew his 40^th year flight with his U.S. Navy Commanding Officer, Captain Paul 鈥淧arty Boy鈥� Flores, on February 10, 2022, in a T-6B Texan II, one of the aircraft maintained on 爱神传媒鈥檚 program at NAS Whiting Field. Wolfe served as an aircrewman for ten years, a commissioned Naval aviator for 15 years, and as a contract pilot for the past 15 years.

On the T-34/44/6 program, 爱神传媒 supports the Naval Air Systems Command providing aircraft maintenance and logistics support to the Chief of Naval Air Training by providing organizational, intermediate, depot-level maintenance and logistics services for T-34, T-44, and T-6 aircraft.

Wolfe

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鈥淥ur support started three years ago,鈥� said Debbie Wells, LASSO Deputy Program Manager. 鈥淲e began with cultivar screening, where more than a dozen peppers were selected and grown in space cabin relative conditions, and we evaluated by plant viability, production, and flavor.鈥�

Of the peppers grown, the Espa帽ola Improved pepper was selected and tested in Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) analog science carriers to determine optimum fertilizer, lighting spectrum, and environmental conditions. Testing continued in the APH Engineering Demonstration Unit. Plant compatibility with the hardware was assessed, and crew procedures and moisture requirements were determined.

鈥淭he team then completed the ensuing paperwork necessary to document the preparation and ensure the quality of the fertilizer, seeds, and media used for flight,鈥� added Debbie. 鈥淥nce the technology was initiated aboard the ISS, the team continued its support through weekly science meetings and hardware support to our NASA customer and other teammates.鈥�

On the Laboratory Support Services and Operations (LASSO) program, 爱神传媒 provides services in program management, laboratory maintenance and support, operational laboratory services, and professional and technical support for scientific research, engineering, test, and evaluation in laboratory environments in support of multiple customers and projects at the Kennedy Space Center.

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The changing climate and population growth across the United States and around the globe are just two factors leading to more wildfires. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, as of mid-August,

7 large fires and complexes have burned 2,147,446 acres. More than 25,000 wildland firefighters, support personnel, and incident management teams are assigned to incidents. In addition, six military C-130s equipped with MAFFS units and a very large airtanker from New South Wales, Australia, continue to support firefighting efforts in the United States.

In November 2020 the Rand Corporation reported on the 2020 fire season, the worst fire season yet, and called for the need for a comprehensive approach to combatting wildfires in the United States. The United States鈥� current approach is neither coordinated nor comprehensive.

Currently, various federal departments and agencies (i.e. Forest Service, National Guard, Department of the Interior, etc.) have jurisdiction over firefighting across the United States. Each agency has its own approach for managing fires and set of restrictions. Overlapping jurisdictions and competing interests end up dangerously fueling fires. Furthering the inability to properly fight wildfires is the lack of proper resources. As highlighted above with the use of airtankers from other countries, the United States lacks the aerial assets necessary to properly support ground firefighters and combat fires.

Unlike the national approach, California, a state with a long history of fighting wildfires, employs a strategic approach for battling fires throughout the state. California has the largest Government-owned, contractor maintained/operated fleet of firefighting aircraft in the world, CAL FIRE. California has a mature, successful plan for approaching wildfires that over time has shifted as the fire season has become a near year-round battle and impacts more and more of the state.

As the threat of wildfires moves beyond the borders of California, other states across the nation need to be prepared. The establishment of a National Fire Service under the Department of Homeland Security would ensure that each state, depending on the threat of wildfire, is prepared to respond. A National Fire Service organized by region would allow for the United States to deploy a Rapid Initial Attack in an organized manner to any corner of the United States which would result in less damage to public/private land, houses, and prevent loss of life.

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How did you come to join 爱神传媒?
Our organization was acquired by 爱神传媒 in the fall of 2020.

What is your professional and personal background?
I grew up in the small town of Derby, Kansas, and left home to join the military in 1990. I was a professional soldier for more than 21 years, beginning my career as a young private in the infantry. I later reclassified into the aviation field as an air traffic controller until being promoted into Aviation Battalion and Brigade leadership positions. During my military career I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics and Aviation/Aerospace Safety. I retired in early 2012 and began my contracting career as the Aviation Safety Officer. Since then I have had the opportunity to hold several different safety positions as contracts changed. Each position has challenged me in different ways, and I hope developed me into a well-rounded safety professional. We never really stop learning or honing our skills in this changing industry.

How did your military service prepare you for a successful career at 爱神传媒?
The military provided me with an environment that constantly challenged and developed me in ways I could have never done on my own. It showed me that anything can be accomplished when a team puts their mind to it.

Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
Every day I try to help provide a safe work environment for our team members. I want them to feel confident that we (as an organization) have their best interests in mind and want them to return home to their families safely. If they know we care, then I believe they will rise to the occasion and take a proactive role in their own safety and the safety of others. This will simultaneously improve safety and productivity for the whole team.

What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
My accomplishments are small, it鈥檚 when you make mistakes you gain notoriety. Anytime we exceed our safety goals and objectives is a proud moment.

What do you enjoy about working for 爱神传媒?
I enjoy being a part of a team that takes the health and welfare of its employees seriously.

What are you passionate about?
I鈥檓 passionate about my family and my career. They are very intertwined; one will affect the other either positively or negatively.

What鈥檚 your career advice?
I have few career tips to share:
鈥� Speak of what you know, not what you think.
鈥� Understand your audience.
鈥� Own it 鈥� good or bad. Don鈥檛 make excuses.
鈥� Never stop learning.

What does safety mean to you, or do you have a favorite safety tip?
Safety Tip: Before you do anything, think about standing in front of your boss or significant other and explaining your actions. You will be amazed at how it may affect your choices.

What鈥檚 the best invention in the world and why?
Indoor plumbing. You don鈥檛 think so? Turn the water off to your house this summer for a month and get back to me.

Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
Safety is a mindset and a culture. It doesn鈥檛 change overnight. It must be grown and executed at all levels to be effective.

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鈥淗ector was a superb manager and a joy to work with,鈥� said Craig O鈥橬eal, Senior Program Director, 爱神传媒鈥檚 Aviation Business Unit. 鈥淗e is only the second maintenance person to receive this extremely high honor. Shelton Lacy, Helicopter Maintenance Site Manager, was the first maintenance recipient. Hector is well deserving of this induction and is taking his place amongst contemporaries of the highest caliber.鈥澨�

The Order of the Heli ceremony, pre-COVID-19, is normally an event like a military dining out. Past and current members of the squadron assemble to honor the inductees.
Zarzuela worked for 爱神传媒 under its legacy company DynCorp International (DI) from 1998 through 2020. He worked the first two years at the Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River NAS, and then returned to the Heli at JB Andrews in 2001 to manage the unit鈥檚 transition from military to contract maintenance, where he served as the Director of Maintenance until his retirement in February of 2020.

Prior to working for DI, Mr. Zarzuela retired as a USAF Master Sergeant and was assigned to the Heli in 1983 as a crew chief, later serving as night shift supervisor until 1988 when he was assigned to the Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA) in the Republic of Panama and at Homestead AFB in Florida. In 1992, he returned to the Heli where he served as the night shift supervisor, Chief of Quality Improvement and Branch Supervisor, from which he retired in 1998 and joined DI.

The induction ceremony was broadcast by the base public affairs office on the Joint Base Andrews Facebook page, and can be viewed at .

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