"Loggies" at Incirlik win annual awards

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Gina Vaccaro McKeen
  • 39th Air Base Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Personnel at Incirlik Air Base took top honors in two categories of the 2010 U.S. Air Forces in Europe Logistics Readiness Unit, Individual and Flight Level Awards, which were recently announced.

The 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron was named the USAFE Logistics Readiness Squadron of the Year for the non-flying units category, and Tech. Sgt. Chad Smith, 39th LRS, was named the USAFE Fuels NCO of the Year.

"The men and women of the 39th LRS are committed to excellence in every aspect of the 39th Air Base Wing and Air Force missions," said Lt. Col. Jason D. Branch, the 39th LRS commander. "Their hard work and attention to detail were rewarded by winning [this award]."

The commander added that he stresses remembering the past, focusing on the present and preparing for the future and that each person in the unit is vital to the mission.

"This award is another example of their outstanding dedication and support," he said. "I'm honored to work alongside these professional logisticians."

Sergeant Smith was nominated for his performance and contributions to the 39th LRS Fuels Management Flight here.

"Master Sergeant-select Smith is a high-speed NCO who will make a great future Senior NCO," said Senior Master Sgt. Jerry Pier, the fuels superintendent for the Fuels Management Flight. "He has been phenomenal for our section since he arrived in February (2010). He was instrumental in our flight's ability to issue over 85 million gallons of jet fuel to support our missions. To put it in perspective, that is the second largest fuel account in USAFE and the sixth largest in the Air Force."

Sergeant Smith's efforts enabled more than 100,000 tons or cargo and nearly 24,000 passengers to travel in and out of the base in support of overseas contingency operations, Sergeant Pier added.

"This is an awesome accomplishment for [TSgt Smith]. It is great for someone who does such a great job and who works so hard to be recognized," Sergeant Pier said. "We are glad we had the opportunity to submit him for this award and we are ecstatic he was selected as the [Major Command-level] winner."

The awards were selected by a board at USAFE headquarters. Winners will go on to compete at the Air Force level.

Award officials congratulated the 39th LRS Airmen in a statement, "our congratulations go out to the winners for the extraordinary professionalism, hard work and dedication. We wish them best of luck at the Air Force Level."