AF best fuels management flight: 87th LRS

Published April 28, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Air Force's 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron was named best fuels management flight for fiscal year 2010.

This is the first time the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst LRS has received the Air Force's only flight-level award, the American Petroleum Institute Trophy Award.

"This was a total team effort in every way," said Chief Master Sgt. Eric Stone, 87th LRS flight chief. "Every person in this flight had a part in winning this coveted award. The accomplishments for the package were collected from our home base, down range, Army, Navy and Marines Corps personnel making this a true joint-base accomplishment."

The 87th LRS team was evaluated on three categories: direct mission support, innovative management and quality of life.

In 2010, LRS directly supported many functions of JB MDL, the Department of Defense's only tri-service joint base, which includes more than 80 mission partners. They supported 48 home-station aircraft, 2,100 vehicles and three operations at Lakehurst and Dix.

While deploying 29 percent of its personnel to six countries, Airmen in the 87th LRS were still able to safely execute 29,000 fuel and cryogenic operations. The flight moved more than 91 million gallons of product, placing them as the number-two supplier in Air Mobility Command.

"Base leadership is proud of the tremendous work being done here," said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, JB MDL commander. "The missions continue to get bigger and bigger and your flight never stops performing excellently in all of its duties, whether it be Air Force, Army, Navy or Marine support."

The 87th LRS saw a 124-percent increase in sorties due to the base closure and realignment legislation. They now support the Naval Air Systems Command at Lakehurst, which ensures the testing and repair of every aircraft launch and recovery system on every aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. They were also called upon to support mission requirements of the President of the United States previously charged to Otis Air National Guard base located near Martha's Vineyard.

Aside from their home station mission, the 87th LRS flight provided support in the DOD's area of operations. They supported 21 mobilization taskings sending 30 combat-trained fuels Airmen to Iraq, numerous locations in Southwest Asia, Honduras and Colombia. In Iraq, fuels Airmen supported unmanned aerial vehicles that were instrumental in the confirmation and removal of eight improvised explosive devices and the capture and confinement of one of the coalition's most-wanted insurgents.

The squadron also stood out in the awards innovation category by spearheading the completion of a $720,000 E-85 fuel system installation project, and completing a six-month test on a 17,500 gallon Large Capacity Refueling Vehicle. Both projects resulted in reduced operator requirements and increased support capabilities.

Along with excelling in AF innovation and directly supporting the mission abroad, the squadron made quality of life one of its top priorities. LRS Airmen completed 138 Community College of the Air Force hours and six College Level Examination Program hours with 69 total credit hours, three CCAF degrees and two bachelor's degrees during the award period. The flight also had a 73-percent promotion rate.

The flight members also represented leadership throughout many professional organizations on base ranging from the Wing Top III Ways and Means committee to the president and secretary of the Squadron Top IV. Many of the flight member's spouses ensured the existence and success of the LRS Phoenix Spouse program as well.

To capture the American Petroleum Institute Trophy Award the 87th LRS first secured the William N. Penton Award, making them the top fuels flight in all AMC.

"I could not be more proud of my Airmen and their accomplishments," said Stone. "They really are the best in the United States Air Force."

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