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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 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 support every aircraft that is in-transit and needs fuel,” Heisey said. “Everyone in this flight knows they can be called into work at a moment’s notice to support mission requirements.”
Request for aircraft refueling could come from one of many different agencies the fuels flight supports.
“We support several wings and commands here because of our geographic location,” Heisey said. “At any given time we could be refueling C-17s from Air Mobility Command, C-130s from the 37th Airlift Squadron, commercial flights, and even our NATO partners’ aircraft.
“I’m extremely proud to be associated with a lot of incredibly hard-working Airmen who make up the Air Force fuels career field who compete for this prestigious award every year,” he continued.
For Koebel and the other Airmen in his flight, earning such a high-level award is recognition for the high standards of work they perform day in and day out.
“Winning this award was truly a team effort. It feels great to be recognized for our hard work and dedication to the mission,” Koebel said. “We’re going to continue to strive to not only meet but exceed the high standards set by our leadership.”
