CSAF presents Creech Award to USAFE for maintenance excellence

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chuck Roberts
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
Ramstein Air Base, Germany (USAFENS) --  Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley presented the General Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award to U.S. Air Forces in Europe on Oct. 4 during his visit here.

The Creech Award recognizes the major command demonstrating the most improved performance in the category of aircraft maintenance and logistics readiness for each fiscal year. Accepting the award on behalf of USAFE was Brig. Gen. Duane Jones, USAFE headquarters director of logistics.

USAFE was cited for distinguishing itself by demonstrating the most improved performance in aircraft maintenance and logistics readiness from Oct. 1, 2004, through Sept. 30, 2005. During that period, USAFE showed improvements in aircraft availability and mission capability rates while operating at numerous deployed locations throughout the world supporting the Global War on Terrorism and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The award is named in memory of Gen. Wilbur L. "Bill" Creech. General Creech, who died in 2003, received his commission and wings in 1949. He flew 103 combat missions during the Korean War where he also served a combat tour of duty as a forward air controller with the U.S. Army's 27th Infantry Regiment. During the Vietnam War, General Creech flew 177 combat missions during his six months with the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam.

In addition to combat duty, the general also flew 125 demonstration flights with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. He also was leader and commander of the USAFE Aerial Demonstration Team, the Skyblazers, based at Bitburg, Germany, where he flew 399 aerial demonstrations throughout Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. During his career, General Creech flew 40 different military fighter, cargo and reconnaissance aircraft.