Reserve maintainers recognized at joint-wing banquet

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover distinguished four members of the 512th Airlift Wing during the Logistics Professional of the Year Award Ceremony Feb. 22, here.

The awards available to Liberty Wing members are the Air Mobility Command Outstanding Reserve Associate Maintenance Awards, which are given by the host unit to Reserve associate members for their outstanding support of the Total Force vision. Also available is the Chief Master Sgt. Thomas N. Barnes Award, given to the outstanding aircraft crew chief of the year.

The big winners at this year's event for the AMC Outstanding Reserve Associate Maintenance Award were:

- Maj. Jessica Oberlander, 512th Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer, officer category;

- Master Sgt. Sean Dawson, 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron integrated electronics technician, superintendent category;

- Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Hamilton, 512th MXS aerospace maintenance technician, technician category; and

- The Chief Master Sgt. Thomas N. Barnes Award for crew chief of the year went to Master Sgt. Jesse Marquardt, 512th AMXS dedicated crew chief.

While the awards are a yearly occurrence for the 436th aircraft and ground maintenance squadrons, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 436th Aerial Port Squadron, this year's observance had a twist.

"In the past, we have always recognized these winners at our (wing's) annual awards banquet," said 1st Lt. Michelle Anderson, 512th Maintenance Group. "This year, the 512th (AW) was included in the 436th Logistics Professional of The Year Award Ceremony. We had a joint ceremony years ago and drifted away from it. Overall, it was an awesome experience for our members to be amongst their 436th (AW) peers versus the usual separation of the two wings."

In classic "loggie" style, the awards ceremony dinner consisted of a barbecue, complete with folding chairs and held in an aircraft hangar.

"This is the environment loggies cherish, so we celebrate this way," said Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Ford, 512th MXG.

"The logistics field is so capable because of the total-force integration environment we live and breathe every day," said Ford. "The 512th and 436th units have been partnered for decades, so it only makes sense that we celebrate our accomplishments together. I'm so proud of all the winners regardless of the unit they are attached to, because (together) we are Team Dover."