The Department of Defense announced the 2014 winner of the Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence on Nov. 18, at this year's secretary of defenseawards ceremony. The Phoenix Award is presented annually to designate the single best maintenance unit out of that year's six Secretary of Defense Field-Level Maintenance Award winners.
This year's recipient of the Phoenix Award is Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211. During their eight month deployment with Carrier Air Wing One on the USS Enterprise, they initiated the transition to the maintenance phase of the turnaround fleet response training cycle. The squadron reconstituted their maintenance workforce and completed more than 230 individual maintenance training courses. VFA-211 earned a "satisfactory" material condition inspection evaluation, the first squadron in more than two years to earn a passing grade in its first attempt, and is recognized as a leader in Hornet community corrosion control practices. VFA-211 supported numerous detachments, including two flight deck certifications, a foreign military sales demonstration, Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and the Naval Weapon System Evaluation Program. These accomplishments have designated VFA-211 as this year's best field-level maintenance unit in the Department of Defense.