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Aerial Port Officer
Citations
See also: Air Transportation Awards
Aerial Port Officer
Captain Francis J Tobias distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Aerial Port Officer, 55th Aerial Port Squadron, 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California. During this period, the professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Captain Tobias contributed to the effectiveness and success of not only the 55th Aerial Port Squadron, but also that of the Air Force. Captain Tobias was instrumental in the oversight and integration of aerial port operations. His seamless leadership of both Passenger Services and Material Handling sections ensured superior support and one hundred percent compliance for multiple base wide activations and deployments in support of OIF and OEF. This high level of logistical achievement directly impacts global mission accomplishment and contigency operations worldwide. Futhermore, in August of 2009, Captain Tobias's superior academic achievement, exemplary leadership, and high character earned him the honor of being named the Top Graduate at the Logistics Readiness Officer training course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Tobias reflect credit upon himself, the 55th Aerial Port Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Commander, 81st Aerial Port Squadron
Lieutenant Colonel Gregory P. Vaughan distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Commander, 81st Aerial Port Squadron, 315th Mission Support Group, 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. During this period, Colonel Vaughan garnered respect by utilizing his outstanding professional skill and steadfast leadership. After the 84th Aerial Port Squadron's deactivation in 2007, Colonel Vaughan's ceaseless effort and forward thinking proved vital to the successful integration of the 81st and 84th Aerial Port Squadrons. His dedication to and leadership of his Airmen and Office created a positive environment and excellent work ethic among all members of the newly merged aerial port squadron. With a vision of success, Colonel Vaughan quickly established high expectations and standards, which directly contributed to the 437th Airlift Wing's overall "Excellent" rating in the 2008 Operational Readiness Inspection, and led to an incredible zero unit findings during the 315th Airlift Wing's Unit Compliance Inspection in 2009. On his watch, the 81st Aerial Port Squadron successfully mobilized and deployed 108 Airmen in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, strengthening overseas contingency operations in support of the Global War on Terror. Under the command of Colonel Vaughan, the 81st Aerial Port Squadron was recognized as the best Aerial Port Squadron in 22nd Air Force by being awarded the 2009 Air Transportation Activity of the Year. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Vaughan culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Special Handling Section Supervisor, Aerial Port Squadron
Senior Master Sergeant Paul E. Olson III distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while assigned to the 36th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. During this period, Sergeant Olson's excellent leadership skills as Special Handling Section supervisor were instrumental in overseeing aerial port flightline operations. Hand-picked to participate as part of a dual-wing team for the 2006 Operational Readiness Inspection, he disseminated vital information which ensured the on-time departure of 82 tons of cargo, resulting in an Excellent rating. Additionally, as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for Load Planning, his professional excellence ensured his fellow Airmen were prepared for the 2010 Operational Readiness Inspection. His revamping of the unit training program eased scheduling concerns ultimately resulting in an overall Excellent rating and garnering him recognition as a 446th Airlift Wing Star Performer. While deployed multiple times in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN, and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Sergeant Olson coordinated the Aerial Port, Air Mobility Division, Tanker Airlift Control Center, and Airfield Departure/Arrival Control Group for inter-theater airlift requests. His dynamic load planning experience directly resulted in the successful movement of 28 Persistent Threat Detection and Ground Surveillance Systems on 664 missions, totaling $227 million. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Olson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Flightline Security Manager
Technical Sergeant Dennis M. Wright distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned to the 86th Aerial Port Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Washington. During this period, Sergeant Wright performed his duties in an outstanding manner enabling over 200 Aerial Port personnel to fully perform their worldwide mission. As the Flightline Security Manager and Materials Handling Equipment monitor, he provided detailed training, licensing, and review of key operational readiness requirements for his squadron. Singlehandedly, Sergeant Wright developed an aircraft loader course with scenarios specifically tailored to meet the aerial port needs at deployed locations throughout the world. Furthermore, his expertise in operating Army mission essential vehicles during aircraft downloads significantly strengthened the unit training program and improved the unit's wartime readiness. While on annual tour at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Sergeant Wright served as a load team chief where the team safely loaded and offloaded 1,119 tons of cargo on 133 various types of cargo aircraft with zero safety mishaps. His team's efforts ensured 100 percent on-time takeoffs, far exceeding Air Mobility Command's expectations. Finally, at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Sergeant Wright contributed to the expeditious movement of 44,000 short tons of cargo on 6,400 missions throughout the region with an impressive 99 percent on-time aircraft departure rate. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Wright reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Commander, 86th Aerial Port Squadron
Lieutenant Colonel Tim A. May distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Commander, 86th Aerial Port Squadron, 446th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord , Washington. During this period, the outstanding professional skill and tireless efforts of Colonel May directly contributed to the success of the largest unit in the 446th Mission Support Group. As a Total Force focused commander, he was responsible for the combat readiness of over 180 Aerial Port personnel, ensuring detailed training plans were in place for two 68-member Air Expeditionary Force teams with zero shortfalls. Additionally, he led his unit's preparation for its first Logistics Compliance Assessment Program Inspection, garnering an "Excellent" rating with zero safety violations on 300 observed tasks. Furthermore, Colonel May directed the focus of his ancillary program managers and the implementation of a Management Internal Control Toolset which resulted in zero findings on all major ancillary programs during the wing's Unit Compliance Inspection. Finally, his tremendous leadership skills were vital to the recruitment, training and preparation of a team of 41 Aerial Port personnel to support the wing's 2009 Operational Readiness Inspection achieving an "Excellent" rating in operations and the Ability to Survive and Operate. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel May reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Operations Officer, 46th Aerial Port Squadron
Major Ashley M. Stewart distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Operations Officer, 46th Aerial Port Squadron, 512th Mission Support Group, 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. During this period, Major Stewart led three flights comprised of 112 personnel in all aspects of aerial port operations and program management, providing fully trained and combat ready aerial porters to combatant commanders for contingency operations. In addition, Major Stewart oversaw five annual tours resulting in the transportation of more than 5,000 passengers and 2,200 short tons of cargo in support of 486 missions. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Stewart reflect credit upon herself, the 512th Airlift Wing, and the United States Air Force.