John Smith, international programmes manager, and Don Valentine, Canadian and Spanish F/A-18 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme manager, were recognised for their outstanding work with the F/A-18 Programme Office (PMA-265). The ceremony took place on 27 March at Zaragoza Air Base in Spain.
The award cited their “dedication, commitment, efficiency and permanent support” in managing FMS contracts under the Naval Aviation Enterprise. Their efforts were credited with directly improving the operational availability of Spain’s EF-18 fleet, the national designation for the F/A-18 Hornet.
Spain’s Commander of the Logistics Support Command led the ceremony, which featured opening remarks from the Spanish Secretary of State for Defence. Senior officials from across the Spanish Ministry of Defence were in attendance.
“This recognition reflects the deep trust and collaboration we’ve built with our international partners,” said Capt. Michael Burks, PMA-265 programme manager. “John and Don’s work exemplifies the mission of PMA-265, delivering the right capability, at the right time, to support the United States’ and our allies’ national security goals.”
The award coincides with the 45th anniversary of the first FMS sale of the F/A-18 Hornet, underlining the platform’s lasting relevance in global defence. PMA-265 continues to lead initiatives such as radar enhancements, avionics upgrades, and the Block III configuration to ensure the aircraft’s effectiveness in modern threats.
Through international cooperation and sustained investment, the office strengthens the capabilities of allied air forces worldwide. “Our partnerships are built on trust, performance and shared mission,” Burks added. “Recognitions like this show that what we do behind the scenes truly matters on the global stage.”
PMA-265 oversees the sustainment and advancement of the F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. Its mission is to equip naval aviators with reliable and advanced capabilities for mission success.
Source: NAVAIR.
