Lajes civilian wins AF level award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Smythe
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Portugal --  A member of the 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron was recently named the 2011 Air Force Fuels Civilian Technician of the Year.

Senhor Pedro Belo said he has been working on Lajes since 1988 as a heavy mobile equipment mechanic and is very surprised to have received this award for 2011.

Belo is responsible for all chassis maintenance on a $4.2 million refueling vehicle fleet comprised of seven R-12 hydrant trucks, six R-11 tank trucks and four C-300 ground product trucks.

His vast knowledge and intuitive troubleshooting skills have enabled the 65th Fuels Management Flight to maintain a 95 percent fully mission capable rate in spite of a wide spectrum of vehicles and lengthy delays in part shipments.

Belo's awards package listed several of his accomplishments throughout the year. One statement noted that Belo's "quick response during a ground product contamination inject curtailed any further damage to wing assets."

Another states, "When three aging R-12s were found with unserviceable hose couplers, Pedro worked over 10 hours nonstop to rebuild parts that others might simply replace. This commitment saved over $4.5K and resulted in zero down time and avoided a minimum equipment level shortfall."

"He's a great guy with a real positive attitude," said his supervisor, Tech. Sgt. Casey McKinney. "He doesn't really bat an eye when he has to work long days. He definitely gets the job done, has an outstanding work ethic and is always happy to jump in and help everyone out."

Belo attributes that quality to his Azorean culture in which everyone is always glad to help everyone else out. He also attributes his success to his family and coworkers.

"Everyone I've worked for these couple of years here have been awesome to me," he said. "Everyone's been really cool and helpful, and whenever they need help with anything, I help them out as best as I can and we get along great."

Belo said he loves every moment of his job.

"Everyday is always a different challenge," he said.