ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Fleet Logistics Support Systems One (VR1), based at the Naval Air Facility on Andrews Air Force Base, recently completed a record-setting year in safety operations and flight time.
Christened the "Star Lifters" because of their role as the premiere flight squadron to transport some of America's top leaders, they take their missions seriously. The squadron often flies short-notice missions, missions around the United States, and international missions into some extremely dangerous and busy airports. With three C-37 Bs (a civilian Gulfstream 550) and two C-20 Ds (Gulfstream 3), VR1 has flown 185 missions within the United States and another 50 missions outside the continental U.S., giving each aviator more than 30 hours per month of high visibility flight time - all without incident. An enviable record for any military squadron.
Squadron Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Tim Fahey recently put it this way, "We are like ambassadors here. We represent the United States in one of the highest visibility missions in the Navy. Our command and our passengers expect the very best and we give it to them." VR1 believes in the motto "safety first" and puts into practice these words before, during, and after each flight. The squadron boasts some of the finest aircraft maintenance, air crews, and aviators in the Navy. Said Lt. Cmdr. Fahey, "I used to fly off carriers, like a number of the aviators here, but this duty is special. We all take great pride in what we do here." This includes having the Wing Sailor of the Year. Team member A1 Lanny Larimor is a finalist for the Sea/Nav Shore Sailor of the Year.
Aggressive about its climate of safety, squadron members also do all their own flight planning, mission coordination, scheduling, and force protection requirements in-house, something most other squadrons outsource. "We are privileged to have one of the most motivated groups of sailors I have ever served with. From our squadron commander to the culinary specialists, they all have pride in what they do," said Fahey. This pride is most visibly shown in VR1's offices. They shine with a new coat of paint and a redesign of their work spaces - all done by squadron personnel who wanted to show off their home to the world. Not one sailor is out of uniform and all greet guests with a smile. It is obvious they love what they do for the Navy and for America.
This summer brought a change of command to the "Star Lifters."
Its commanding officer, Cdr. Ronald Florence, left for assignment in Naples, Italy. The squadron is now led by its former executive officer, Cdr. Robert Lee. He is continuing VR1's tremendous professionalism in surpassing naval standards of safety and achievement.