Two Marine units have distinguished themselves for outstanding work in the field of transportation, and each now has the National Defense Transportation Association Unit Award as a result.
Combat Service Support Detachment 21, of the 2d Force Service Support Group, was the active duty unit recognized.
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, of Marine Aircraft Group 41 with the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, was the reserve unit recognized.
The National Defense Transportation Association presented the awards in October during the 55th Annual Transportation and Logistics Forum and Exposition in Albuquerque, N.M.
Combat Service Support Detachment 21, which is based at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, N.C., proved itself while supporting II Marine Expeditionary Force units.
Their airport unit supported 396 aircraft and handled over 7,300 tons of cargo. Also, their motor transport unit moved 5,246 personnel and 52 tons of cargo over 49,000 miles without an accident. The detachment?s maintenance units were recognized for saving the Marine Corps a lot of time and money.
Major J.D. DeCarli, the commanding officer of CSSD-21, accepted the award in Albuquerque on behalf of his unit.
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234, which is based at the Naval Air Station / Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, earned recognition supporting Marine, Navy, Army, Air Force, and Department of Defense agencies worldwide.
Their list of operations included Northern Edge in Alaska; CAX 7 and CAX 8 in California; CAX in Hawaii; Crocodile 99 in Australia; Bright Star in Egypt; NATO Dynamic Response in Macedonia; and Northern Watch in Turkey.
They also supported the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) during its work-up cycle and deployment.
By the numbers, they completed 96,000 flight hours without a mishap. They supported 46 units and agencies, and their tanker aircraft transferred 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 460 aircraft. These accomplishments occurred in 15 countries spread out over five continents.
Lieutenant Col. Ken Hopper, the unit?s commanding officer, accepted the award from the National Defense Transport Association.