Team Ramstein to D.C. for IE trophy

***image1***WASHINGTON, D.C. – Undersecretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Kenneth J. Krieg presented Team
Ramstein with the 2006 Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for
Installation Excellence during a ceremony at the Pentagon May 5.

Representatives from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Defense Logistics Agency gathered in D.C. for the ceremony.

Team
Ramstein was led by Col. Richard Johnston, 86th Airlift Wing and KMC
commander, Col. Kurt Lohide, 435th Air Base Wing commander, and
accompanied by about 30 members from all ranks, including a civilian
and a NATO representative.

The group was welcomed May 3 at an
Air Force ceremony and office call with Secretary of the Air Force
Michael W. Wynne. Senior leaders included Gen. T.
Michael Moseley,
Air Force chief of staff and Maj. Gen. Mark Anderson, the head of the
installation excellence inspection team. Former 86th AW and KMC
commander Gen. Rob Kane also attended the ceremony to honor Team
Ramstein.

“I believe Team Ramstein can be particularly proud of
the IEA since it validates our efforts to make Ramstein the best base
in the Air Force in terms of quality of life, customer service and
innovation,” said Colonel Lohide.

“It was a tough choice,” Maj. Gen. Anderson said. “All the bases were competitive, but Ramstein stood out.”

Secretary Wynne also shared glowing remarks about Ramstein.

“Out to the limitless horizons – that’s really where Ramstein is headed,” he said.

Secretary
Wynne said he was especially impressed with Airmen at Ramstein, who
told him on his last visit that the goal was not to have any airplanes
on the ramp. That would be a waste when they could be doing missions in
the air, they told him.

Wing Commander Wendy Rothery, a member
of the Royal Air Force and the only NATO representative on the trip,
also commented on the outstanding international relations work being
done on Ramstein.

“The base provides us with excellent support
and our participation in this ceremony has cemented good relations,”
she said. “We look forward to great work together in the future.”

After
enjoying D.C.’s sights on foot, team members were taken into the air by
the 1st helicopter squadron for a special tour of the city.
Many contingent team members wished that everyone at Ramstein could be part of the trip.

“Team
Ramstein worked hard to get here,” said Capt. Almaira Feist, 435th MUNS
materiel flight commander, who was happy to represent Ramstein.
“It
takes a fantastic team and lots of hard work to support our critical
missions both at home station and deployed,” Colonel Johnston said in
his speech. “But as this award proves, Team Ramstein is up to the
challenge. As the Air Force gets leaner, Team Ramstein gets stronger
and smarter and we have no intention of slowing down.”
(See photos from the Washington D.C. visit on Pages 8 and 9.)