SHELTON, Connecticut - 

Sikorsky Aerospace Services’ Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (SAS MRO) division announced today it received the 2010 Maintenance Excellence Award from the Naval Reserve Tactical Support Wing (TSW) for support of theVFC-13 Squadron based in Fallon, Nev. Sikorsky Aerospace Services is the worldwide aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The award, also known as the Golden Wrench, is presented to the squadron that has demonstrated the dynamic leadership, exceptional professionalism and unsurpassed management effectiveness required to safely fly and operate aircraft involved in Navy Adversary Flight Operations.

SAS MRO provides maintenance and logistics support for 14 F-5E/F/N aircraft in VFC-13 that are used in the Navy Adversary Flight Operations program. The squadron flies an average of 3,400 hours per year providing adversary training to every Navy Carrier Air Wing and squadron that deploy to ships and bases throughout the world. Since February 2001, when SAS MRO became involved with the program, SAS MRO and VFC-13 have won the award in 2001-2003, 2005-2007, and 2009. SAS MRO’s Key West, Fla., team won the award in 2008.

“We are honored to have received this award. It represents our long-standing and unwavering commitment to this critical program, which is an integral part in preparing U.S. Navy pilots for their missions. Our employees are dedicated to delighting our customers,” said Debra Zampano, director of SAS MRO.

In his comments to the Air Wing, Captain James Kuhn, commander of the Tactical Support Wing stated: “The outstanding professionalism displayed during the past year enabled the TSW to meet all operational tasking and made the selection process extremely difficult. I commend all of you for your superb efforts. I have the utmost confidence in the performance of each and every maintenance department within this Air Wing. In every assigned task, maintenance managers, mechanics and technicians have enthusiastically met the challenge. I applaud your contributions to the Air Wing and the United States Navy.”

Recipients of the Golden Wrench are allowed to paint the award icon on the side of squadron aircraft.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services provides comprehensive support for rotary and fixed wing aircraft throughout the world. It offers its military and commercial customers a full portfolio of support services. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn.,is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. The company's mission statement reflects its long commitment to safety and innovation: "We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere...every time™."

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.