Incentive flight brings perspective to 60th LRS

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt McGovern
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Members of the 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight enjoyed four incentive flights, compliments of the 690th Chopper Unit Army National Guard stationed at Sacramento, Calif., March 31. 

One civilian and 25 Airmen flew from Travis over Lake Berryessa and the local area on an UH-1 Huey helicopter. 

“The Lake Berryessa area looked like Ireland from the air with all the rain we’ve been having,” said Staff Sgt. Gary Lutz, 60th LRS resource control. 

“This flight is the coolest thing I’ve done since I’ve been in the Air Force, it’s a memory I will take with me for life,” said Airman 1st Class Sean Diehl, below-the-zone select and 60th Maintenance Group Airman of the Year. 

It is not a common occurrence for Airmen to receive incentive flights of this nature. 

The flights were arranged by 2nd Lt. Charles Rice, 60th LRS deputy fuels management flight commander, as a reward for the outstanding achievements earned during 2004 and 2005. It was also a way to recognize annual award winners and professional performers. 

“It’s been an extremely good two years for us — we’ve done some outstanding things in the flight,” said Lieutenant Rice. 

The flight won the William N. Penton Award for 2001, 2003 and 2004 and went on to win the coveted American Petroleum Institute Award in 2004 recognizing the best fuels operation in the Air Force. 

“When you look at the amount of success of this flight has achieved, the caliber of Airmen we have is evident. We wanted to take this opportunity to recognize those Airmen,” said Master Sgt. Kenneth Murphy, the fuels management operations superintendent and the wing’s Lance P. Sijan Award winner for 2005. 

The flight’s members have earned eight 60th Air Mobility Wing-level awards, four Air Mobility Command awards, one Air Force-level award, and eight BTZ stripes. 

Additionally, the members of the flight contributed to the 60th LRS’s winning AMC’s 2005 Logistics Effectiveness Daedalian Award. 

“Our Airmen have tremendous pride in the refueling services they provide to Travis. It’s a pleasure to reward their efforts!” said Maj. Andy Hey, 60th LRS commander. 

The fuels flight issued more than 180 million gallons of jet fuel to 23,000 base-assigned and transient aircraft over the past two years. It also oversaw the delivery of 654,000 gallons of ground fuel for generators, special purpose vehicles, equipment and facility operations. 

The flight provides around-the-clock support for all Travis fueling needs to include the servicing of the Huey providing the ride.