INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Service members assigned to the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s fuels management flight have been working hard all year. That hard work has paid off, because they are now preparing for a video teleconference on June 19, 2018, to compete for the U.S. Air Force’s fuels flights top award, the American Petroleum Institute Award.
After winning at the major command level as best fuels flight in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Air Forces – Air Forces Africa, the team was able to compete for the API award.
This award is given to the top fuels management flight for their outstanding contributions, commitment to excellence and dedication to the warfighter mission.
“The three best fuels flights will be competing for the ‘best of the best’ fuels shop in the Air Force,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Evan Torgeson, 39th LRS fuels service center supervisor. “I hope that the accomplishments we highlight during our board and on our slideshow help us stand out.”
The Incirlik POL flight is competing against the fuels flights at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, each using the VTC.
The VTC will eliminate the need for on-site visits, yet still upholds the history and tradition of the POL community and prestige of the award.
“It’s a no brainer why we have been chosen to go up for this [award]. What we do here isn’t like anywhere else,” said Torgeson. “Normal bases will have continuity. We have such a high rate of turn over, but still have the ability to maintain a high level of intensity and job performance, it’s pretty impressive.”
In preparation for the VTC, the 39th LRS POL members gathered and performed mock-boards, ensuring each team member was ready and knew their role.
The main scoring factors for the board are mission focus, purpose innovation and quality of life, technical competency and motivation, enthusiasm and military bearing. Each team is scored out of 100 possible points.
Although the results of the winner have yet to be announced, the 39th LRS POL flight already see themselves as winners.
“If we would win, it would be really special. We would be the ‘best of the best’ at that point,” said Torgeson. “But we already have in our minds that we are the best, so we just want to solidify that by showing [everyone] that we are on top.”