Logistics Readiness Squadron earns USAFE awards

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Burton
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently earned the 2007 United States Air Forces in Europe's LRS - Non-Flying Unit of the Year award. 

This annual award recognizes squadrons that have excelled in performance and made outstanding contributions to the Air Force mission. 

The 39 LRS accolades didn't stop there. 

Lt. Col. Clifford Altizer, 39 LRS commander, was USAFE's nominee for the individual 2007 General Thomas P. Gerrity Logistics Award, an Air Force-level award that recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to Air Force logistics. 

Colonel Altizer said he was proud of the LRS and the unit award from USAFE was a fitting way to commemorate its performance. 

"Like every other unit at Incirlik, we have to constantly contend with training and a lack of continuity," he said. "The ability of the Airmen, civilians, and our Vinnel, Brown and Root partners to maintain world class logistics support for the 39th Air Base Wing and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is nothing short of amazing." 

The 39 LRS superintendent said there was no doubt they had a great chance of winning. 

"I felt we had a strong package with many accomplishments that would help us win the award," said Chief Master Sgt. Diedre Jackson, 39 LRS superintendent. 

The accomplishments of 39 LRS during 2007 covered 23 elements and seven Air Force Specialty Codes and included overseeing the transfer of more than 70 tankers, 980 passengers and 125 tons of cargo, which enabled the aerial refueling bridge's 1,400 sorties. 

They also coordinated to meet NATO requirements and supplied 1.8 million gallons of fuel that allowed the rotation of approximately 400 C-17s with more than 1,000 British passengers supporting the war on terror. 

The 39 LRS Traffic Management Office provided service to more than 4,000 customers with an average two-minute TMO lobby waiting time, for surpassing the 10-minute USAFE standard. 

Colonel Altizer said that the exceptional work accomplished by the 39 LRS was key to his nomination for the Gerrity award. 

"Obviously I'm honored to have been named USAFE's nominee for the Gerrity award," he said. "But the truth of the matter is every LRS accomplishment happens because of the dedication of the people in this unit. This would not have happened without their support." 

Two 39 LRS Airmen also earn Air Force-level awards. 

Capt. Jonathan Carter, 39 LRS, won Air Force Logistics Readiness Company Grade Officer of the Year and Tech. Sgt. Edwin Vegasantiago, 39 LRS, won Air Force Air Transportation Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. 

The Air Force-level squadron award results are scheduled to be released in April. 

Colonel Altizer feels his squadron has a "great shot" and added that the work produced by his squadron was only possible with the support of Team Incirlik. 

"As a squadron, we depend on a lot of other units on this base to do our job," he said. "I'm proud to be here at this time in history working with each of them as we secure our freedoms and the liberties of all Americans."