SHELTON, Connecticut - 

Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) announced today it has received the 2012 Maintenance Excellence Award from the U.S. Naval Reserve Tactical Support Wing (TSW) for support of the Composite Fighter Squadron VFC-111, based in Key West, Fla. The award is the 11th for SAS since the program started in 2001. SAS is the worldwide aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX)

“It’s truly an honor for our employees to receive this award, which symbolizes the unwavering commitment by Sikorsky Aerospace Services to an essential and critical program that prepares U.S. Navy pilots for their missions,” said George Mitchell, SAS Vice President, Military Customer Support. “It also speaks to the breadth and scope of our support capabilities for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft produced by other Original Equipment Manufacturers. SAS’ comprehensive and integrated support portfolio serves not only multiple branches of the U.S. military, but also provides strategic maintenance offerings globally.”

Known as the Golden Wrench Award, the honor for maintenance excellence goes to the squadron that has demonstrated superlative skills — leadership, professionalism and unrivaled effectiveness — in the safe flight and operation of aircraft involved in Navy Adversary Flight Operations. SAS provides maintenance and logistics support for 14 F-5F/N aircraft in VFC-13, and 18 F-5 F/N aircraft in VFC-111, used in the Navy Adversary Flight Operations program. Respectively, the squadrons fly an average of 3,400 and 5,200 hours per year providing adversary training to every Navy Carrier Air Wing and squadron that deploy to ships and bases throughout the world.

“I have the utmost confidence in the performance of each maintenance department within this Air Wing. Maintenance managers, mechanics and technicians have enthusiastically met the challenge and executed the assigned task,” said Air Wing Captain James Nichols, Commander of the Tactical Support Wing. “The outstanding professionalism displayed during the past year enabled the TSW to meet all operational requirements. I applaud your contributions to the Air Wing and the United States Navy.”

In 2001-2003, 2005-2007 and 2009-2011, SAS won the award at the VFC-13 Squadron based in Fallon, Nev. This is the second time since 2008 that the SAS Key West support team has received the award. Recipients of the Golden Wrench are permitted to paint the award icon on the side of squadron aircraft.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services, a Sikorsky company, provides comprehensive support to rotary- and fixed-wing operators around the world. It offers its military and commercial customers a full portfolio of support services, including material distribution, maintenance, overhaul & repair, aircraft modifications, and life-cycle management. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. 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 worldwide.