Scott Airman is top in his field

Published March 28, 2012
By Senior Airman Amber R. Kelly-Herard
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Senior Airman Daniel Koland, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator and dispatcher, was named the 2011 Air Force Vehicle Operations Airman of the Year.

"He is a stellar operator and is one of the first people distinguished visitors see when they get off the plane and one of the last they see as they depart," said Master Sgt. Bradley Sanker, 375th LRS vehicle operations element chief. "He always has a positive image, and he is an excellent trainer and mentor to fellow Airmen."

Last year, Koland was deployed to Kuwait and aided in the largest military movement since World War II, moving 33,000 tons more than 13,000 miles from Iraq to Kuwait.

Koland said, "The best part of my deployment was the experience. My colonel said we were the only Air Force convoy team, so we should be proud, and that was true for me."

Similarly, Koland aided in moving 21,000 passengers and more than 817,000 tons of cargo at Scott last year.

Based on his performance, Koland earned the rank senior airman six months early through the below-the-zone program. He was also named Airman of the Quarter.

When the Waynesville, Mo., native is not working, he spends a lot of his time volunteering. During the past year, Koland spent a week teaching public speaking to junior ROTC cadets.

"The experience was worth it," he said. "I would definitely do it again."

He also volunteered for blood drives, food drives, gate guard duty and at the Airman's Attic.

The Airman, who has been in the Air Force for three years, is also working on taking college classes.

"I took some CLEPs (College-Level Examination Program). I'm working on my Community College of the Air Force degree right now, and eventually I would like to earn a bachelor's degree," Koland said.

Since December, Koland has been serving as a member of the base honor guard.