439th Airlift Wing Named Best in Fourth Air Force for 2015

By: Linda Welz

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Senior Master Sgt. Keith Baxter

Photo Description:

From left: Maj. Gen. Kenneth D. Lewis, Jr., director, Air, Space and Information Operations, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Roger Rupp, Boeing Company and chair, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, Riverside, California; Col. Albert Lupenski, commander, 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts; and Maj. Gen. John C. Flournoy, Jr., commander Fourth Air Force, gather at the 16th Annual Raincross Trophy Dinner Nov. 19, 2015, to present the Raincross Trophy, signifying the best wing in the numbered Air Force, to the 439 AW. The trophy, pictured here, bears the winning wing’s name each year and remains at 4 AF headquarters. The annual winner receives a smaller replica for his or her wing to keep and display.
The 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, was awarded the 2015 Raincross Trophy at a dinner Thursday, Nov. 19, naming them best wing in Fourth Air Force, a title they will carry for the next year. "I am incredibly proud of my Airmen. They worked very hard for this award,” said Col. Albert Lupenski, commander, 439 AW. “They don't do it for recognition, they do it because each and every one of them take pride in their jobs. This is all for them." 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. It was great to see Westover take the trophy, because this is the first time they have won.” 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 (NAF), as well as local community leaders and elected officials. The Raincross Trophy was reinstated in 1998 after the NAF headquarters relocated from McClellan Air Force Base, California to March ARB, California. "The competition for these awards is really a matter of pride in Fourth Air Force," said Maj. Gen. John C. Flournoy, Jr., commander, 4 AF. "The decision is never easy because each wing has a unique mission set. Every wing is performing far above expectations." Three other awards were announced at the ceremony: • The 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, South Carolina, was presented the Aircrew Excellence Award. • The 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom ARB, Indiana, earned the Chief Master Sgt. James K. Clouse Trophy, for maintenance excellence. • The 927th Air Refueling Wing, MacDill ARB, Florida, received the Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell, Jr. Trophy, in recognition of being the best Mission Support Group in 4 AF.