22nd AF announces logistics, aerial port award winners

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 512th Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Twenty-second Air Force recently announced their picks for the 2009 logistics readiness and aerial port awards competition.

The 512th Logistics Readiness Flight and its members scored big, bringing home seven honors.

The 512th LRF won the Daedalian Maj. Gen. Warren R. Carter Logistics Readiness Award, which is awarded to units that have achieved the best supply effectiveness record.

"The Daedalian Award is what everyone strives to get," said Lt. Col. Gretchen Kurlander, 512th LRF commander. "If you look at the number of gallons pumped, cargo moved and supply readiness rates, we've met or exceeded Air Force standards. When a unit is recognized for this award, it shows they are doing great things."

Just one of the Liberty Wing's logistics accolades includes an AFSO 21 project which saved $52 million.

Individual Airmen from the 512th LRF and 46th Aerial Port Squadron also received 22nd AF honors. They are:

- Maj. Richard Saunders, Maj. Gen. Alice Astafan Air Reserve Component Logistics Field Grade Officer,
- Senior Master Sgt. Ronald Toomey, ARC Logistics Plans Senior NCO of the Year,
- Tech. Sgt. Edward Yienger, ARC Vehicle Management NCO of the Year,
- Tech. Sgt. David Jackson, ARC Fuels NCO of the Year,
- Staff Sgt. Brandy Kuemper, ARC Materiel Management NCO of the Year, and
- Senior Airman Isiah Copeland, ARC Fuels Airman of the Year.

Sergeant Kuemper's accomplishments included a deployment in support of 22nd AF and the U.S. Army at various stateside bases.

She said she's honored that the contributions she made were worthy of receiving an award.

"It was a great experience working as a supply liaison for the Army," said Sergeant Kuemper. "I thought I fit right in with ... active-duty."

Airman Copeland, who spent part of 2009 deployed to Southwest Asia, said after being recognized as the Fuels Airman of the Year, he's motivated even more now to try harder this year.

"Airman Copeland is definitely stepping up into a leadership role, which makes me more proud about him winning an award than myself," said Sergeant Jackson, who also deployed in 2009 and won Fuels NCO of the Year.

All winners from the 22nd AF logistics and aerial port competition now go on to compete at the Air Force Reserve Command level, which Colonel Kurlander said should be released in the months to come.

(Master Sgt. Veronica A. Aceveda contributed to this story.)