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1 SOCS named best in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kristina Newton
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 1st Special Operations Communication Squadron has been named best in the Air Force as the winner of the 2007 Lt. Gen. Harold W. Grant Award for Excellence in Communication.

The annual award is given to the top Air Force communications and information unit for excellence in support of the Air Force mission.

Lt. Col. Michael Hammond, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group deputy commander, was in command of the 1st SOCS during the award period. He attributed the unit's success, in part, to the specialized capabilities associated with being a part of special operations.

"We have unique programs that no other Air Force base has," Colonel Hammond said. But that isn't the only thing that sets us apart. We put a 100 percent into every project we do, from putting extra lines into an existing building to completely setting up communications in a brand new building. It really covers all aspects."

Colonel Hammond said the 1st SOCS's history of on time compliance with Air Force requirements, while working at a high operations tempo, also contributed to the achievement.

"Because we have a history of being the best, the unit was handpicked by U.S. Special Operations Command to go to Poland to assist in the stand-up of a Polish special operations command," Colonel Hammond said.

Senior Airman Troy Littlejohn, 1st SOCS satellite communications, said the recommendation came from a major on the project who met Airmen from the 1st SOCS oversees and was so impressed that they were his first choice for the job.

"We were there in direct support of the senior officers on the project," Airman Littlejohn said. "They could have called the Army like they usually do, but they called us instead and they were really happy with the result."

"I think that is what put us over the top," Colonel Hammond added.

The award is named for Lt. Gen. Harold W. Grant who was a communications pioneer and worked throughout his career to ensure the operating forces had the best communications support available.