905th ARS nominated for Schilling Award Published Feb. 25, 2010 By 2nd Lt. Chase P. McFarland 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. -- The 905th Air Refueling Squadron has been nominated for the 2010 David C. Schilling Award for their outstanding contribution from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009, recently announced by Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., Air Mobility Command commander. If the award is won at the Air Force level, this will mark the second time that an air refueling squadron and the first time an air refueling wing has won the award back to back. Each year the Air Force Association presents several trophies and awards of Air Force-wide interest relating to aerospace activity. The David C. Schilling Award is presented to those with the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of manned flight in the atmosphere or space. "To win this award would certainly be a great cornerstone to the 905th's 50-year legacy," said Capt. Christopher Wickline, 319th Operations Group executive officer. With 18,000 hours and 3,000 missions, the 905th was the Air Forces busiest air refueling squadron. "The fact that we did this while transforming under BRAC and the absorption of two squadrons is amazing," said Captain Wickline. "These accomplishments were due in no small part to Maintenance and the base wide support that the Rhinos received on a daily basis." The 905th supported every type of mission that the Air Force executed during 2009. Missions included extending close air support which protected the Combat Controller and soldiers on the ground, projected global power through the delivery of combat aircraft to the theater, relayed tactical communications for combat and ISR assets, med-evaced injured airmen to critical care facilities, delivered the remains of fallen servicemen, and much more. "This nomination speaks directly to the passion and dedication for our National Defense that the hard working airmen of the 905th project every day," said Captain Wickline.