374 FSS judged for LeMay award

  • Published
  • By Gary Garland
  • 374th Force Support Squadron
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Last week, Yokota's 374th Force Support Squadron members hosted a team of evaluators for the Air Force General Curtis E. LeMay award. Each year the Air Force selects one Services or Force Support Squadron as "Best in Air Force."

This unique award focuses on how well we take care of our customers.

Our six visiting evaluators looked closely at customer service, employee enthusiasm, quality of programs, facility appearance, innovation and individual ownership in each of the FSS facilities. This evaluation was really all about Team Yokota. Due to the community's patronage, support and feedback the 374 FSS was brought to this point.

The General Curtis E. LeMay Award was established in 1965 by the Order of Daedalians Foundation. The award gives special recognition for excellence in programming and service. Keesler AFB, Miss., was the recipient of the LeMay award in its first year.

The late Col. Joe Wilson, a founding member of the Order of Daedalians, donated the large sterling silver-covered trophy. Each year the name of the winning base is added to a plate on the wooden base of the trophy. The winning base earns the right to display the trophy for the entire year until it is passed on to the next winner. It is presented to the winning base annually at Air Force Awards Banquet by a member of the Order of Daedalians; most often the National Commander of the Order of the Daedalians.

The award's namesake, General Curtis E. LeMay, has been credited with designing and implementing an effective systematic strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific Theatre of World War II.

After the war, he headed the Berlin Airlift, and reorganized the Strategic Air Command (SAC) into an effective means of conducting nuclear war. LeMay is often referred to as the Father of the Strategic Air Command.

In addition to his aviation accomplishments and political aspirations, LeMay held a lifelong interest in the support and quality of life programs provided to Air Force members and their families around the globe. It is this keen interest that led to the LeMay Award

It is the customers of Yokota who gave the 374 FSS the opportunity to compete for the prestigious LeMay Award. Members of this squadron express thanks to each and every customer for their patronage, participation, feedback and ideas. Great job FSS, and thank "U", Yokota!

For more information about the amazing Air Force career of General LeMay visit http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6178.