60th Aerial Port Squadron wins Air Force Large Terminal Unit of the Year award

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Donald Osborn
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Aerial Port Squadron won the 2006 Air Force Large Terminal Unit of the Year award for developing innovative practices. 

"I'm extremely proud of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron 'Port Dawgs,'" said Lt. Col. Michael Holmes, 60th APS commander. "The AMC staff selected this squadron to be the model aerial port in the Continental United States for transformation initiatives and this team has responded above and beyond." 

The 60th APS has a track record of innovation that gave them an edge on the competition. Although they may not move the same amount of cargo as other large units, they are propelling the Air Force into the future by the way they move the cargo around the world. 

"I think it was the spirit of the 60th APS folks that was most contagious to the team that evaluated us for this award," said Capt. Vianesa Vargas, 60th APS operations officer. "But the awards package that was sent to the Air Force showing everything we have accomplished this year is how we won the award. When you see our hard work written down on paper; our competitors weren't even close." 

When the hard work of the 60th APS Airmen is coupled with their creative ideas, it makes their processes become benchmarks for others to follow. 

"We have conducted numerous AFSO21/Lean events which have produced innovative ways of doing business making our processes more efficient and providing a better service to our customers," said Colonel Holmes. "These process improvements have become the benchmark for the command and across all air terminal operations in the Air Force." 

The 60th APS completed seven transformation initiatives, and completed four Lean events this year. One of the Lean initiatives combined traffic management with cargo operations, which allows the 60th APS to move cargo more efficiently. 

"As soon as our air freight flight receives cargo from the trucks, they turn it around and send it down range to the fight," said Captain Vargas. "Our motto is, Deeds not Words, and our people exemplify that." 

"What I'm most proud of is the fact that the changes we're making are a result of the noncommissioned officers, Airmen and our civilian work force that are directly involved with the processes," said Colonel Holmes. "They are the ones with great ideas." 

This is exactly the same road the Air Force is taking into the future with AFSO21 and Lean initiatives, and it's obvious the 60th APS has the Airmen willing to do it. 

To honor all of their hard work, Colonel Holmes and Chief Master Sgt. Florendo Palting, 60th APS superintendent, will travel to Andrews Air Force Base, Md. to the AF Logistics Readiness Awards Banquet to cheer their young Airmen who will accept the trophy for the AF Large Terminal Unit of the Year Award.