477th Fighter Group Named Best in 10th Air Force

  • Published
  • By Maj. Lisa reaver
  • 477th Fighter Group
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The 477th Fighter Group made history this week when the first Power and Vigilance Award winner was announced. The 477th FG took "the bull by the horns" and proclaimed top unit honors for all of Tenth Air Force. This award, sponsored by the Fort Worth Air Power Council/Foundation, was created to honor those who go above and beyond just getting the job done. 

This is substantial recognition for the small group who competed against much larger and more established wings for this honor. "Being recognized as the best in 10th AF is significant since we are a new group and are relatively small compared to the other 13 units we competed against," said Lt. Col. Hubie Hegtvedt, 302nd Fighter Squadron commander, who accepted the award from Maj. Gen. Frank Padilla, 10th Air Force commander and the Fort Worth Air Power Council on behalf of the group. 

The award committee considered unit achievements in ten categories during a one year period, starting in October 2008 and ending in October 2009. The 477th, associated predominately with the F-22 Raptor, demonstrated outstanding impact in each of the categories including everything from mission effectiveness to safety and education. 

Apparent throughout the nomination was the unit's aggressive approach to Total Force Integration with their Active Duty counterparts in the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Reserve Airmen from the 477th filled key positions in the active duty structure, planned F-22 deployments and participated in multiple intercepts of Russian bomber aircraft. 

"The Total Force concept works and our unit is proof," said Lt. Col John Hillyer, 477th FG commander. In a time that everyone is looking at ways to do more with less, the 477th is proving to be a force multiplier. Throughout the award period, group Reservists worked seamlessly alongside their active duty counterparts while deployed to Guam, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as during RED FLAG and NORTHERN EDGE exercises. "Our Reservists integrate in daily operations so well that many times the only way to know whether they are Reservists is to ask them," said Lt. Col. Hillyer. 

The Power and Vigilance Award is significant to the 477th in another way. The unit draws its history from the 477th Bombardment Group, active in World War II, and made up of African-American servicemen known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Another famous African-American sits atop the trophy. The statute replica depicts the famous cowboy, Bill Pickett, wrestling, or otherwise known as bulldogging, a steer to the ground. Bill Pickett was the first African-American cowboy to be inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame. The original statue is located in Fort Worth, Texas, Stockyards' District.