WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo -- Airmen of the 509th and 131st Logistics Readiness Squadrons were recently awarded the Maj. Gen. Warren R. Carter Logistics Readiness Award, recognizing them jointly as the best Air Force logistics readiness squadron for 2017.
The award was first introduced in 1962 by the Order of Daedalians Foundation and is presented annually to the Air Force unit selected by the Air Force chief of staff that achieved the highest supply effectiveness record in support of mission aircraft or weapons.
“When it comes to Total Force Integration, the 509th and 131st Logistics Readiness Squadrons lead the pack. We work side by side and utilize each other’s capabilities to enhance both missions,” said Lt. Col. Norman Wright, 509th LRS commander. “If you come in any day of the week, you’ll be hard pressed to tell who belongs to the 509th or 131st LRS and that’s how it should be, because in the end we are one Air Force!”
The award culminates a year’s worth of efforts into a single tangible achievement. From humanitarian relief missions to strategic bomber assurance and deterrence missions to supporting exercises for active duty, Guard, and Reserve, the team collaborated to support a myriad of successes.
“This distinguished award is a testament for how deep our integration goes, capitalizing on strengths the active duty and Air National Guard members bring to the fight to create this benchmark team,” said Maj. Rachel Savage, 131st LRS commander.
Some of the highlights of the past year include:
- Humanitarian relief for 488,000 Haitians by arranging airlift for 155,000 tons of provisions and refueling four cargo aircraft with 30,000 gallons of fuel
- Supported Exercise RED FLAG by transferring 63 short tons of cargo and 132 passengers to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, enabling 42 B-2 sorties and 21 pilots to be trained
- Deployment of five equipment accounts for Operation Atlantic Resolve, securing 132 close air support sorties and 334 flying hours
- Transportation of 355 passengers and 248 short tons of cargo in support of eight bombers during the 2017 Bomber Assurance and Deterrence deployments
“Winning the award was a total team effort,” said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Quinn, 509th LRS superintendent. “We work hard each day to support the bomb wing in accomplishing its mission. I’m very proud of our Airmen and the outstanding job they perform across the wing.”
As well as receiving the highest supply effectiveness record, the 509th and 131st total force LRS team demonstrated their outstanding “Whole Airman Concept” during 2017. A factor that was taken into consideration by the judges. The team achieved a staggering 5,000 volunteer hours in the local community while simultaneously accumulating 722 college credit hours across 53 programs and 48 institutions, together generating 27 Community College of the Air Force graduates and bachelor’s degrees.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this collective team,” said Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Buser, 131st LRS superintendent. “But it’s no surprise the Airmen earned this award. They truly are among the best.”
Continually demonstrating their worthiness for the Daedalian honor, the 509th and 131st total force LRS team also garnered the 2017 Air Force Global Strike Command Logistics Readiness National Defense Transportation Award. This award recognizes the units for their outstanding contributions to the AFGSC mission and will go on to compete at the Air Force level.