LRS hauls in major command awards

  • Published
  • By TSgt. George Cloutier
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Westover's 439th Logistics Readiness Squadron has earned two awards, the Daedalian Major General Warren R. Carter Logistics Effectiveness Award and the Air Reserve Component Base Logistics Activity of the Year Award, Air Force Reserve Command recently announced.

"There is an enormous amount of dedication to the unit, especially among the senior NCOs who have been here for some time and paved the way and set the tone," said Lt. Col. Michael Buoniconti, LRS commander. "These are people who do their jobs quietly, but are extremely dedicated to getting the job done."

The Maj. Gen. Carter award is presented annually to a unit chosen by the USAF Chief of Staff as having achieved the best supply effectiveness record in the USAF in support of mission aircraft and/or weapons. AFRC officials present the ARC award annually to the highest performing base level logistics readiness unit as measured by the three areas of direct mission support, innovative management and quality of life programs.

"It really is the workman mentality that makes our squadron so strong and so unique," said CMSgt. Michael Barna, LRS superintendent. "It doesn't matter if they're an Airman or a chief master sergeant, they're going to get their hands dirty and make sure the job is done. Nothing is just delegated down arbitrarily. If something has to get done, people roll up their sleeves and get it done."

In contrast to other awards which are given based on a singular outstanding achievement, both the LRS awards are for a pattern of excellence over a period of time. Members from each of the six separate flights under the LRS -- fuels, vehicle maintenance, vehicle ops, supply, TMO and plans -- credited the sense of teamwork in the unit that contributed to the overall excellence that earned the LRS the two awards.

"Every month we're training with the civilian contractors," said MSgt. Victor Markey, vehicle training flight training manager. "Before it was 'them and us' and now it's more of a team effort."

"Our people are always raising their hands to help out," said MSgt. Bruce Lamay, vehicle operations flight noncommissioned officer in charge. "We're always volunteering for 5K runs or if somebody is passing a hat people are always willing to drop a few dollars in for a helpful cause."

"We work hand in hand with PMI (Phoenix Management Inc.)," said TSgt.

David Suchicicki, LRS TMO NCOIC. "The teamwork between the two drives the success of the mission. They take any chance they can get to get out there and pump gas they do it."

MSgt. Chuck Carlin, logistics plans and integration flight NCOIC, said getting 430 people deployed last year with zero late arrivals in the theater of operations -- was the best he's seen in his career.

"With my guys, there's no question when there's a phone call it's jump in the truck and let's go," said MSgt. Joe Mc-Cormick, fuels flight chief. "It's never a question when I need someone to stay late or come in early. The general attitude is my guys are about the job and love their shop."