HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
Airman 1st Class Tyler Diethrich, 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron hydrogen operator, conducts a liquid oxygen test Monday on the Ramstein flightline. The Fuels Management Flight recently won its first American Petroleum Institute trophy since 2003 for having the best fuels management operations in the Air Force. The 86th LRS supports every in-transit aircraft, from multiple commands, wings and agencies that needs fuel to complete its mission.
by Airman 1st Class Trevor Rhynes 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Photo by Senior Airman Aaron-Forrest Wainwright
by Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Observe quiet hours: The use of motor-powered lawn mowers or other garden equipment is only permissible from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. It is not permitted on Sundays or German holidays.
The 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management Flight won the American Petroleum Institute trophy for best fuels flight in the Air Force for 2011. The “Black Knights” were selected over Sheppard Air Force Base’s 364th Training Squadron fuels flight and Kadena Air Base’s 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight to win its first API trophy since 2003. From Sept. 30, 2010, to Oct. 1, 2011, the fuels flight has issued more than $521 million of fuels/cryogenic material to more than 17,000 aircraft in support of five combatant commanders. “It took all 108 Airmen assigned to the nine different elements working together to earn us this award,” said Chief Master Sgt. Howard Heisey, 86th LRS fuels manager and squadron superintendent. “Airmen in this
equation for the Airmen working on the modified Boeing 747s. “It makes me feel good to see my Airmen out on the line working hard,” said Master Sgt. Kevin Brown, 721st APS superintendent of fleet services. “It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I can trust them to get the job done.” The 721st APS works on many different aircraft, totaling about 1,000 missions per month. “We work on C-40s, C-20s, C-17s — if it lands here, we work on it,” Ryder said. “Each aircraft needs different things. The dispatcher gets a call when the aircraft is coming in to let us know what they need. Then we standby and make sure we do our best to get it in the air, restocked and ready to go.” The 721st APS loads and unloads equipment and comfort supplies for the aircraft, delivers meals and
NEWS
The 721st Aerial Port Squadron Fleet Services Flight had a quick turnaround time for two modified Boeing 747s May 2 on Ramstein. Two inbound Boeing 747s needing full service usually takes two to three hours to complete. However, the team working on both aircraft showcased “Excellence in All We Do” by having a turnaround time of 45 minutes. “Even though they were some of the larger aircraft to come through, it was just another job,” said Airman 1st Class Felicia Ryder, 721st APS fleet service specialist and team member working on the Boeing 747s. “We were training and getting our job done like any other day.” Getting the job done was only a portion of the
TIP OF THE WEEK
Volume 36, number 20
Fuels flight wins Air Force-level award
Soldiers fight for ‘Best Warrior’ title, Page 7
flight work in many different capacities, directing fuel support to aircraft transiting the base, to providing liquid oxygen and nitrogen support, to performing fuel analysis and refueling aircraft.” Teamwork and camaraderie were large factors to the flight winning an Air Force-level award, said Airman 1st Class James Koebel, fuels distribution technician. “Our morale is really, really high. Part of the reason why it is so high is our leadership has a plethora of knowledge that they pass down to the Airmen,” he said. “We have fun while getting our job done, while having good morale and great discipline.” Fuels management Airmen work every day, around the clock and can even be called in during their off time, if needed. “Our operations never stop, we supSee AWARD, Page 6
takes care of sewage, water and trash. “Dispatching is also a part of our job,” said Airman 1st Class Ryan Lagesse, 721st APS fleet services specialist. “It includes receiving and disseminating information, checking for accuracy, sending out the teams, getting information on what needs to be done once the aircraft lands and keeping a record of events.” From dispatching to restocking, fleet services takes on a whole-team mentality to get their mission accomplished. “My favorite part about the job is my coworkers,” Ryder said. “We have a great team and everyone works really well together and that’s what makes this job amazing. I have great supervisors as well, which keeps our morale high and that makes me want to come into work and give 100 percent every day.”
LIFESTYLES
May 18, 2012
Concert season starts Sunday, Page 17
355
As of May 15
648