FSS competes for back-to-back Eubank award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Justin Weaver
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Force Support Squadron was recently nominated by USAFE to compete for the prestigious Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank award at the Air Force-level. Last year, the 31st FSS, known then as the 31st Services Squadron, won the Air Force-level Eubank award.
"This year is extra special because it is not just a 'services' award," said Maj. Jason Janaros, 31st FSS commander. "For the first time ever it is now a 'Force Support' Award and recognizes Aviano's entire A1 community."

The A1 is responsible for manpower and personnel including services, equal opportunity, honor guard, protocol and the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

Major Janaros attributes the merger with the A1 community as being instrumental to this nomination.

"On July 7, 2008, we did not simply merge two squadrons, we became a family," he said. "And, in my opinion, that has been the key to our success. People are our mission...and we take that mission very seriously."

An evaluation team will visit sometime between Jan. 26 thru Feb. 15 to grade the squadron on customer focus, programs, management, facilities and equipment. The 31st FSS will compete against Cannon AFB, N.M, Tyndall AFB, Fla. and Bolling AFB, Washington D.C.

"I can't begin to tell you how blessed I am to be their commander," said Maj. Janaros. "Not simply for the awards they are winning, but for the way in which they win them -- with integrity, character, honor and dignity."

The Eubank award can be traced back to 1965 when the Order of Daedalians Foundation established the LeMay Award as special recognition for excellence in programming and service.

The prestigious award was named in honor of Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, who in addition to his aviation accomplishments, had a life-long interest in support provided by Air Force Services personnel around the globe. In 1990, the Order of Daedalians established the small base category award called the Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank Trophy for Services excellence, while the large base category retained the Gen. Curtis E. LeMay Trophy for Services Excellence.