ACC names Edwards Airman best of 2009

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Stephen P. Melroy
  • 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  An Edwards Airman was recently recognized by Air Combat Command as the best in his career field.

Capt. Michael Hurley of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron was named ACC Logistics Readiness Officer of the Year for 2009.

Captain. Hurley credits his achievement as a testament to all the servicemembers he worked with in 2009 during his 365-day deployment to Afghanistan.

"I am deeply humbled by this award," said the Captain. "I worked alongside many Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in Afghanistan and this award validates their incredible skill and hard work in bringing the fight to Al Qaeda and Taliban forces."

Captain Hurley spent a year with Task Force Phoenix, as the Deputy Support Operations Officer for a 10,000-strong force with a mission to support the training of Afghan police and military. Captain Hurley expedited mission-critical supplies, coordinated airdrops to remote outposts, managed a fleet of over 75 vehicles oversaw local national support contracts and supported dozens of dining facilities for deployed troops.

"It was a great mission" explained Captain Hurley. "Our team was the lifeline to thousands of remotely posted Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen and we took a great deal of pride in ensuring the warfighters had the supplies to do their job."

Captain Hurley says he deeply missed his family and noted working with the Army took a little adjustment but once he became embedded with them, the culture sank in. Captain Hurley arrived in the 31st TES in August of 2009 and is the Deputy Logistics Director and Section Commander.

"I thank God every day I am given the opportunity to serve in the Air Force. We are the best at what we do in the world, bar none," said Captain Hurley. "To receive this award and know I am competing with a select group of peers in Air Combat Command makes it all the more rewarding."

Captain Hurley will now go on to compete at the Air Force level with a winner to be announced later this spring.