NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Two U.S. Navy civilians from the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) received the Spanish Air and Space Force’s Excellence in Sustainment Award for Foreign Collaboration in Maintenance, becoming the only Americans honored with the distinction in the award’s 17-year history.
John Smith, international programs manager, and Don Valentine, Canadian and Spanish F/A-18 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program manager, were recognized for their outstanding work on PMA-265’s F/A-18 FMS team, during a ceremony March 27 at Zaragoza Air Base in Spain.
The award commended Smith and Valentine for their “dedication, commitment, efficiency and permanent support” in managing FMS contracts within the Naval Aviation Enterprise for the F/A-18 program. The Spanish government also recognized them for their cooperation and coordination efforts, which directly contributed to increased operational availability of Spain’s EF-18 aircraft. EF-18 is the Spanish designation for the F/A-18 Hornet.
Spain’s Commander of the Logistics Support Command presided over the ceremony, with opening remarks by the Spanish Secretary of State for Defense. The event drew senior military and defense officials from across the Spanish Ministry of Defense.
“This recognition reflects the deep trust and collaboration we’ve built with our international partners,” said Capt. Michael Burks, PMA-265 program 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 comes as the Navy marks the 45th anniversary of the first FMS sale of the F/A-18 Hornet, a milestone that underscores the platform’s enduring importance in global defense. PMA-265 continues to support and modernize the F/A-18 fleet through efforts like advanced radar integration, avionics upgrades, Service Life Modification and the Block III configuration – all designed to ensure the aircraft remains a formidable force in today’s contested environments.
Through continued investment and international cooperation, the program office helps bolster allied air power around the world.
“Our partnerships are built on trust, performance and shared mission,” Burks said. “Recognitions like this show that what we do behind the scenes truly matters on the global stage.”
PMA-265 is responsible for supporting, sustaining and advancing the F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft, providing aviators with capabilities that enable mission success.