Port wins AMC Large Terminal Award

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Brugman
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 60th Aerial Port Squadron won the 2006 Air Mobility Command Large Terminal Unit award for developing innovative practices.

"The transformation initiatives we've made at the port set us apart from other AMC units," said Lt. Col. Michael Holmes, 60th APS commander. "We have created efficiencies by identifying and eliminating wasteful steps in our processes."

While the 60th APS does not move the amount of cargo as Ramstein Air Base and Charleston Air Force Base, the competitors they beat out for the AMC award, the 60th APS has a track record of innovation that gave them an edge on the competition.

"We're changing the face of port operations," said Capt. Vianesa Vargas, 60th APS operations officer. "[These changes are] not coming from a commander or chief -- it's the folks working the mission everyday who are saying we need to look at these things and make them better."

The 60th APS has completed seven transformation initiatives, and has completed four Lean events.

One of the Lean initiatives combined traffic management with cargo operations, which allows the 60th APS to move cargo more efficiently.

In fact, their cargo terminal is almost empty, according to Captain Vargas, because cargo moves so quickly through the terminal.

The 60th APS also received kudos for their dedication to teamwork.

"I think [the AMC inspectors] keyed on the Team Travis effort," Colonel Holmes said. "They came out evaluate port but we showed them Team Travis and that's what really impressed them."

The 60th APS will now go on to compete at the Air Force-level for Large Terminal Unit of the year.

"We're making great strides for improving the mobility enterprise and winning this award is HQ AMC's validation of our efforts," Colonel Holmes said. "Winning this award is a huge morale boost. I challenged my troops to tell me how to make it better and they responded beyond my expectations. I'm extremely proud of them and it's an honor to serve as their commander."