724th AMS scores three AMC awards

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 724th Air Mobility Squadron recently garnered three 2010 Air Mobility Command awards.

The 724th AMS received the 2010 Small Air Terminal Unit of the Year Award, Distinguished Ground Safety Award for a geographically separated unit and Chief of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award Category V.

"These are outstanding achievements," said Lt. Col. Scott Belanger, 724th AMS commander. "This is actually the fourth time since 2004 that this squadron won the Small Air Terminal of the Year. This is a testament of our partnership with the 31st Fighter Wing and the United States Army, which is one of our biggest customers.

"Essentially, we dedicated this year to safe and compliant operations. We did it in a year when our workload increased 10 percent with 23 percent of our personnel deployed, which is unheard of. By focusing on safe and compliant operations, we were able to receive these awards. More importantly is our day-to-day support to the warfighters."

In 2010, the squadron led operations for approximately 30,000 passenger and 6,000 cargo tons on more than 700 missions. During its two inspections, the 724th AMS earned an "Outstanding" rating for its Logistics Compliance Assessment Program with no repeats or safety findings. The team also provided ground support for the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team deployment and redeployment with 2,600 passengers and 291 tons of cargo.

Additionally, the team inspected approximately 142,000 pounds of munitions for movement throughout the European theater. The 724th AMS monitored 6,000 tons of ammunitions, 320 mission capability pieces and 1,500 whole blood units.

As part of its quality of life programs, the 724th AMS hosted the Operation Yellow Ribbon program, a hospitality support to 23,000 deploying passengers. The squadron's Airmen also volunteered more than 200 hours of their time for various Aviano Air Base events, such as Airmen Against Drunk Driving, the Aviano Marathon, and Halloween and Fourth of July celebrations.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Ordena Willis, 724th AMS airport terminal manager, it is a great accomplishment for this unit to ace its compliance inspection, do well on its Inspector General inspection and receive not one, but three AMC awards all in the same year.

"The Small Air Terminal Unit of the Year award reflects outstanding achievement in unit mission accomplishment, innovative transportation management, and personnel quality of life programs," Sergeant Willis said. "The Distinguished Ground Safety Award reflects keen risk management contributions, which created an environment that continuously complied with a safe work area. Lastly, we won the Chief of Safety Award, which echoes an environment that blossoms in (operational risk management practices)."