Night Stalkers earn 2016 U.S. Army Award for Maintenance Excellence

Photo By Master Sgt. Nikki Glanton | Maintainers of 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment hold a banner after receiving the 2016 United States Army Award for Maintenance Excellence during an awards ceremony Aug. 14, 2017 at Hunter Army Airfield. The AAME program is conducted each year to recognize Army units that have demonstrated excellence in maintenance operations. During the ceremony, Soldiers of 3-160th maintenance team were recognized for the hard work that led to the unit receiving the award. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nikki Felton/ released)  

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA, UNITED STATES

08.14.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Nikki Glanton 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

The 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) was awarded the fiscal year 2016 Army Award for Maintenance Excellence by Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo, commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC); and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert V. Abernathy, senior enlisted advisor of USASOC during a ceremony at Hunter Army Airfield’s Truscott Air Terminal Aug. 14.

The AAME is an annual award that recognizes Army units and activities for demonstrating excellence in maintenance operations.

“This award personifies the Special Operations Forces’ truth that personnel is more important than our hardware,” said Lt. Col. Roger W. Waleski, Jr., commander 3-160 SOAR (A). “Receiving this award is a testament to the tremendous Soldiers and civilians who serve as our ground maintenance experts. It is they who ensure we remain at the highest level of readiness.”

During the ceremony, the Soldiers from the battalion maintenance team were presented Army Achievement Medals for the hard work that led to the unit receiving the award.

“This wasn’t us just passing a single inspection,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 William G. Gallerani, battalion maintenance officer. “We were subject to an ongoing series of evaluations spread over several months. Our Soldiers worked long days, longer nights and ate more than a few reheated dinners.”

Many of the ceremony attendees agreed the unit deserved the award; and recognized it lived up to their motto.

“Night Stalkers Don’t Quit,” said Ernie Tafoya, deputy garrison commander, Hunter Army Airfield.

The following Soldiers were recognized during the award ceremony: Chief Warrant Officer 2 William Gallerani, Sgt. 1st Class Alan Kielor, Staff Sgt. Tyrel MacQuarrie, Staff Sgt. Daniel Smith, Staff Sgt. Algernon Wallace, Sgt. Timothy Tortonesi, Sgt. Jhonny Alvarado, Sgt. Tonya Mulalley, Sgt. Aaron Andersen, Sgt. Christian Rivera, Sgt. Matthew Smith, Sgt. Justin Cloyes, Spc. Corey Inman, Spc. Dylan Nay, Spc. Gabriel Sanchez, Sgt. Daniel Chui, Sgt. Quavail Dailey, and Spc. RayMond Purnell.

• Date Taken: 08.14.2017
• Date Posted: 08.16.2017 14:56
• Story ID: 245065
• Location: HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA, US