SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- At home or downrange, Team Shaw Airmen demonstrate their excellence and professionalism through their work.

This was proven by their performance during Exercise Red Flag 18-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, which began Jan. 26 and concluded Feb. 16.

The 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, won the Outstanding Maintenance Unit award, also known as the “Commander’s Cup,” at the conclusion of Red Flag for their conduct on and off duty.

“There’s a lot that went into the award from the hard work from the entire unit to their off-duty performance as well. It just shows how our maintainers represent Shaw in a professional manner at all times,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Rivers, 20th AMXS, 55th AMU lead production superintendent.

Red Flag is the Air Force’s largest three-week air-to-air combat training exercise that incorporates the air, space and cyber forces of the United States and its allies. A variety of participants from the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Air Force take part in this exercise to ensure readiness in deployed environments.

Rivers stated that Red Flag is an opportunity for the unit to train in an environment that replicates a deployed environment.

With the largest amount of participants in comparison to past years, Red Flag 18-1 focused on balancing training efficiency and mission effectiveness.

“Working hard for the exercise is very important … We need to be ready,” said Senior Airman Brandon Hamilton, 20th AMXS, 55th AMU integrated avionics journeyman. “Everyone always puts forth their best effort, day in and day out. We hit the ground running as soon as we get in to work, ready to turn over (jets) and getting them ready to get up in the air.”

As technology and the warfighting environment continues to change, Red Flag provides Team Shaw members the opportunity to fly and train alongside our allied forces to stay ahead of adversaries.