Team Travis continues to be America's First Choice Published Dec. 14, 2006 By Col. Steve Arquiette 60th Air Mobility Wing commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Last week marked my 28th year since first enlisting in the Air Force and it's hard to believe how fast the time has passed. Not just the 28 years of my career, but even just this past year. Seven months ago as I took command of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, many of the great 2006 accomplishments of Team Travis were well under way. Year-round Travis Airmen have given their full effort both here and in the area of responsibility -- and it's recognized! I receive several e-mails, calls and letters thanking all of you for what you do! A recent e-mail began with "I wanted to take the time to let you know how impressed I was with my recent trip through Travis as we provided support for training for one of your Aeromedical Evacuation teams." No matter where you work on this base, your contributions are important! Additionally, your accomplishments stand out as great quality at all levels. One of the most fulfilling accomplishments this year took place Aug. 8 as we welcomed our first C-17, "The Spirit of Solano." Years of hard work came to fruition when nearly 2,000 Airmen and community leaders came to the flightline to cheer its arrival. Many more "behind-the-scenes" events had to occur in order to bring us to that day, including the re-designation of the 21st Airlift Squadron from a C-5 to C-17 squadron, the $187 million worth of military construction projects and the welcoming of trained C-17 aviators and maintainers. Col. Mike Shanahan and the C-17 Program Office, I salute you for an outstanding job well done! Team Travis demonstrated they were America's First Choice again this year when it was announced that we won the 2006 Air Force Hennessy Trophy for best single-facility food service program, the 2005 Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Trophy, recognizing the Air Force's premiere refueling squadron, and the Senior Master Sgt. Albert L. Evans Trophy, which is awarded to the top boom operators in the Air Force. Team Travis also boosted more than 100 individual and team awards at the Air Mobility Command and Air Force-level this 2006. The David Grant USAF Medical Center also earned their accreditation from Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, highlighting the quality medical care we are lucky to receive. In addition, we have hosted inspection teams for several other Air Force-level awards and are currently awaiting the results. During 2006 we have deployed more than 2,000 Team Travis Airmen, off-loaded more than 9 million gallons of fuel, flew more than 7,570 sorties equating to nearly 50,000 flying hours. Our Team Travis partners celebrated many great accomplishments this year as well. The 615th Contingency Response Wing celebrated their first year of operational excellence. Staff Sgt. Eric Pena from the 349th Security Forces Squadron won Air Force-level honors by being selected as one of the 12 Air Force Outstanding Airmen for this year! It's humbling to serve with a team of Airmen with such ambition, dedication to service and success! You should all be proud of your achievements over the past year, which few other organizations have even come close to. From a renewed Airmen emphasis on safety, to base pride and appearance to our hard work and dedication -- I am proud to be a member of Team Travis! Until next year, have a wonderful and safe end of 2006. Be Proud! Be Safe!