Raincross Trophy

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Keith Baxter
  • Headquarters 4th Air Force
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. --  The 439th Airlift Wing, Westover ARB, Mass., was awarded the 2015 Raincross Trophy at a dinner Nov. 19, naming them best wing in Fourth Air Force, a title they will carry for the next year.

"I am incredibly proud of the 439th Airlift Wing. They worked very hard for this award. They don't do it for recognition, they do it because each and every one of them take pride in their jobs," commented Col. Albert V. Lupenski, 439th AW commander. "They're very committed."

The Raincross Trophy was reinstated in 1998 after the numbered air force headquarters relocated from McClellan Air Force Base, California to March ARB.

"The competition for these awards is really a matter of pride in 4th Air Force," said Maj. Gen. John C. Flournoy, Jr., commander, 4th AF. "The decision is never easy because each wing has a unique mission set. Every wing is performing far above expectations."

This year's selection process was among the most competitive, with each wing submitting high quality nomination packages, said Lt. Col. CJ Bentley, 4th Air Force process manager. "The competition was tight but the stand out winner was the 439th."

The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Military Affairs Committee hosted the 16th Annual Raincross Trophy Dinner at the Riverside Convention Center, which was attended by commanders and command chiefs representing each wing in the numbered Air Force, as well as local community leaders and elected officials.

Three other awards were announced at the ceremony:

The 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C., was presented The Aircrew Excellence Award.
The 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom ARB, Ind., earned The Chief Master Sgt. James K. Clouse Trophy, for maintenance excellence.
The 927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill AFB, Florida, received The Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell, Jr. Trophy, in recognition of being the best Mission Support Group in 4 AF.