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Charleston's Aerial Port Squadron receives AMC awards

  • Published
  • By Trisha Schmalz
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Air Mobility Command has recognized Team Charleston's 437th Aerial Port Squadron "Port Dawgs" for a job well done in 2007.

Members of the 437 APS were recently presented with a number of AMC 2007 Annual Logistics Readiness Awards and 2007 AMC Transportation and Traffic Management Individual Awards.

The following 2007 Annual AMC Logistics Readiness Awards were presented to Team Charleston members. These individuals will go on to compete for Air Force-level awards.

Senior Master Sgt. George Cokley was named the AMC Air Traffic Transportation Senior NCO of the Year. Sergeant Cokely worked in a chief master sergeant position for six months, leading 460 Team Charleston members. He was part of a team that prepared and shipped 12 Cessna airplanes to Kirkuk to supply the Iraqis' with aircraft for their first Air Force flight school.

Master Sgt. Rohan Nugent was named the AMC Air Traffic Management Senior NCO of the Year for directing the movement of 15,000 export truckloads of cargo in support of the Global War on Terrorism with no delays and detention charges. Sergeant Nugent set up an emergency airlift of blood and oxygen to forward operation base Lagman, Afghanistan, which led to the rapid medical evacuation of wounded soldiers.

Tech. Sgt. Justin Halterman was named the AMC Air Transportation NCO of the Year. Sergeant Halterman processed more than 1,000 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles in less than 72 hours, which were delivered to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was part of a team that received and delivered 12 Cessna training aircraft to Iraq for the first Iraqi Air Force flight school. Sergeant Halterman moved 14,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle armor kits and upgraded troop protection, which reduced shrapnel inujuries.

Tech. Sgt. Stephen Wimmer was named the AMC Traffic Management NCO of the Year for the timely movement of 23,000 tons of Operation Enduring Freedom cargo, which sustained more than 30,000 warfighters. He oversaw the processing of 20,000 line items for worldwide movement with no discrepancies or delays. Sergeant Wimmer directed the handling of 5,882 C-17 Globemaster III tires error-free and with no damage to the valuable airlift assets. 

Senior Airman Jason Golden was named the AMC Air Transportation Airman of the Year for being a key player in the movement of 133,000 tons of cargo spanning 11,000 missions, which sustained 140,000 OIF forces. In an effort to make convoys safer, he tendered 5,000 tons of cargo, which took 100 trucks and 600 Soldiers off of deadly roads. Airman Golden also revamped the customer service branch by creating continuity binders and standardized processes resulting in a 33 percent reduction in cargo errors.

Airman 1st Class Briana Gutierrez was named the AMC Traffic Management Airman of the Year for arranging 50 personally procured moves and saving $83 per move, saving the Department of Defense more than $3,000. She worked eight short-notice and separation moves and secured desired pick-up dates and minimized stress for families. Airman Gutierrez increased warfighter combat readiness by reclaiming more than $1 million level IV body armor and returning more than 150,000 body armor units to them.

The following individuals won awards at the AMC-level, however, they will not compete for Air Force-level awards.

Tech. Sgt. Allen Boyd was named the AMC Aerial Port Air Terminal Operations Center Professional of the Year for co-creating the automated Air Force Form 4080, which reduced load plan process time by 75 percent AMC-wide. He was part of a team, which organized the reception and delivery of 12 Cessna training aircraft to Iraq for the first ever Iraqi Air Force flight school. Sergeant Boyd inspected and ensured more than 647 tons of munitions were safe for air transport. The ammunition was sent directly to the frontlines to support the warfighter.

Tech. Sgt. Keith Miley was named the AMC Aerial Port Passenger Services Professional of the Year for leading a 19-member team at the Baghdad International Airport where they moved 100,000 passengers and bags, 100 percent on-time. He managed the movement of 106 couriers escorting more than 400 MRAPs as well as managing a 17-member flight in the movement of 429 passengers, 46 tons of baggage over a span of 55 missions.

Tech. Sgt Matthew Perkins was named the AMC Aerial Port Air Freight Professional of the Year for choreographing the movement of 133,000 tons of cargo and 11,000 missions, which was more than all the continental U.S. ports combined. He was part of a team which masterminded the reception and delivery of 12 Cessna training aircraft for the first ever Iraqi Air Force flight school. While deployed in Baghdad, Sergeant Perkins assisted in the establishment of a new OIF forward operating base by moving a $19 million Force Provider package, which included the movement of 740 tons through 11 missions in five days.

Tech. Sgt. Sheddrick Simpson was named the AMC Aerial Port Expeditionary Warrior of the Year for anchoring ramp services operations by loading 133,000 tons of cargo and 11,000 missions, which were 99.6 percent on-time. The cargo was shipped to support more than 140,000 OIF forces. Sergeant Simpson also guided the delivery of nine tons of Navy Explosive Ordinance Device robots, which provide IED detection and disabling equipment, protecting 35,000 warfighters.

Staff Sgt. Jonell McFadden was named the AMC Aerial Port Fleet Service Professional of the Year for safely expediting the upload of more than 100,000 meals and comfort items for more than 27,000 passengers. He developed fleet asset checklists, which consolidated headquarters guidance and simplified the management of 500,000 items cutting man-hours by 33 percent. Sergeant McFadden re-vitalized the Fleet Service Flight "Safety Dawg" program by providing 24/7 safety monitoring, resulting in zero mishaps since the program's inception.

Michael Simmons was named the AMC Traffic Management Civilian Professional of the Year for managing flawless travel service for 3,340 DOD members to ports throughout the world. Despite a 38 percent cut in staff, Mr. Simmons was still able to move 150,000 tons of cargo and household goods shipments as well as 5,000 passengers. Mr. Simmons monitored the DOD unused airline ticket refund program and was able to recover $36,000 in unused or returned tickets.

Bobby Robinson was named the AMC Aerial Port Air Freight Civilian of the Year for managing DOD OIF freight hub. He certified 15 armored Sky Watch towers for airlift, which enabled vital surveillance operations at military FOBs in Iraq. Mr. Robinson was part of a team, which spearheaded the movement of 12 Cessna training aircraft to Iraq for the first Iraqi Air Force flight school.