440th Logistics Readiness Squadron wins three, 22nd Air Force level awards for 2011

By Master Sgt. Steve Staedler
440th AW PAO

January 12, 2012

Photo by Staff Sgt. Peter R. Miller/440th AW PAO Tech. Sgt. Greg Monette, a petroleum, oils and lubricants specialist with the 440th Logistics Readiness Squadron, inspects a fuel hose leading to an R-11 refueling vehicle at Pope Field, Sunday. Monette was a member of the LRS team that won three, 22nd Air Force level awards in 2011. The 440th Airlift Wing is currently training and conducting inspections to remain prepared for worldwide contingencies and deployment.

It was quite a year for the 440th Logistics Readiness Squadron as it brought home three, 22nd Air Force level awards for service in 2011. The Daedalian Major General Warren R. Carter Logistics Effectiveness Award, the Base Logistics Activity of the Year Award and the Logistics Plans Civilian of the Year Award are a culmination of a total team effort.

“Both personally and professionally, this is the most talented, dedicated, motivated and effective group of people I have ever had the opportunity to work with,” said Maj. Meredith Curran, 440th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. “With all the activities we’ve been involved with, from the operational readiness inspection, deployments and just the everyday operations tempo, I think most units would have been overwhelmed. But our Airmen saw this as an opportunity to excel, and these awards are proof that we have.”

First awarded in 1962, the Daedalian trophy and award is presented annually to a base that has achieved the best supply effectiveness record in the Air Force in support of mission aircraft and/or weapons. The award is given to the best logistics readiness squadron in the Air Force for its impact on mission accomplishment and overall logistics distinction during 2011.

The squadron was also recognized for excellence by winning the Base Logistics Activity of the Year Award. In the past year the squadron produced an Air Force, three Air Force Reserve Command and four 22nd Air Force award winners; a promotion enhancement program nominee, four wing-level awards and 23 coin recipients.

Senior Airman Kenya Drake, a petroleum, oils and lubricants specialist with LRS, said she was very happy and proud of the squadron’s accomplishments in 2011 and is appreciative that people are starting to take notice of their work.

“I think we deserved them,” she said. “I see us as the unsung heroes, and it’s nice to be recognized for what we do. We all worked very hard during the past year, so this feels very good.”

Drake and the other Airmen who comprise POL refuel aircraft on the Pope Field flightline using R-11 refueling vehicles. Additionally, they are responsible for forecasting requirements, receipt, storage and inventory control and quality control. 

“I love everything about this job,” Drake said. “I get to drive a big green truck and pump fuel into planes. It’s very rewarding.

“We have very high morale here in LRS; we’re really one big happy Family.”

Tech. Sgt. Dave Albright, a logistics planner and an Air Reserve technician with the squadron, was named Logistics Plans Civilian of the Year. One of his key accomplishments in 2011 was preparing more than 180 wing Airmen to deploy in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

The team effort in LRS extends beyond the squadron, Curran said.

“One thing that sets us apart from the AFRC units is that we competed against is the total force support we receive from our active-duty counterparts at the 43rd LRS and from the Army’s Directorate of Logistics,” she said. “We can attribute a great deal of our success to their commitment and support. The relationship we have with these units and their leadership has been critical to building our squadron, maintaining our training and excelling in our mission accomplishment.”

The three winning award packages will now compete against other Air Force winners at the Air Force Reserve Command level.

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