Subscribe
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-West, Iraq - The small Air Force detachment on this Army logistics hub in northern Iraq usually goes unnoticed.
The small group of more than 20 Airmen in Detachment 2, 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group, load and unload the planes that fly in. They work around the clock, night and day, in good and bad weather, with heavy equipment on an obstacle-course-like tarmac that is under repair.
But this time they were recognized for an accomplishment made more remarkable by the challenges of their mission. They went 90 days without an accident.
"As the superintendent, it's an honor to have received the 16th Sustainment Brigade, 90-day safety streamer," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jason Aven, superintendent, Det. 2. "I know it wasn't one person who you can contribute this to, but a team effort. However, I do salute my front line leaders, in particular their hard work and determination to stay engaged each day."
Col. Martin Pitts, commander, 16th Sustainment Bde., and Q-West commander, presented the green safety streamer to the detachment during a ceremony on the tarmac, May 11.
"It's not often I get to recognize an Air Force unit," Pitts said. "You all exemplify the Knight's Pride standard, you own the edge."
Pitts congratulated the Airmen on the success of their safety program, and told them not to lose their focus as they near the end of their individual rotations.
Another challenge for the detachment is continuity, Aven said.
"Now the challenge is to keep this trend going and ensuring our replacements continue the important mission here and do it safely," Aven said.
Airmen in the detachment provide airfield command and control, air freight handling for fixed wing aircraft and maintenance capabilities for Q-West Base Complex.
Since January they have moved more than 15,000 passengers and 6,000 pallets in excess of 5,900 tons. Their work has spared the Army from conducting thousands of dangerous convoys.
"Being awarded this streamer reflects the attention to detail and overall diligence of the Airmen who work every day to move personnel and supplies in and out of theater while maintaining a safe working environment," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Ryan Barrett, commander, Det. 2. "A balance must be kept to where we provide timely support to the warfighter, while simultaneously ensuring safety standards. Safety is first and foremost in our operations and our young airmen and frontline NCO's make sure that that standard is upheld."
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2009 07:12 |
| Story ID: | 33949 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 217 |
| Downloads: | 189 |
This work, Q-West Airmen get recognized for safety record, by SGT Keith Anderson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT