HQ AMC staff award winners motivated to improve mission, help others

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, UNITED STATES

02.29.2016

Story by Candy C Knight 

Air Mobility Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Air Mobility Command headquarters staff honored its 2015 annual award winners during a ceremony Feb. 19 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Each of the nine recipients was honored for excelling in their primary duties and self-improvement. Their contributions across the AMC enterprise, ranging from developing new training programs, to aircraft modification, to preparing the Air Force for the KC-46, helped ensure AMC achieve unrivaled Global Reach.

"My motivation is simple," said Master Sgt. Derek Hirshfield. "Be the best I can be at my job, improve my professional development, and help other Airmen."

Hirshfield, a VC-25, C-32, C-40 Weapon System Manager, used his special airlift mission experience in managing the C-40B Airborne Data Loader replacement project. His diligence saved the Air Force nearly $600,000 by synching commercial practices and Air Force standards.

"The (equipment) maintainers used was old technology and, while the process worked, it required a lot of man-hours and kept the aircraft on the ground longer." he said. "The new technology reduced the man-hours and made it easier for the maintainers to do their job."

Improving processing and overcoming challenges was another attribute each awardee demonstrated throughout the year. This is especially impactful when those challenges involve a new platform such as the KC-46.

"To me, this recognition represents progress for our command," said Capt. Steven M. Chandler, Chief, KC-46 Requirements. "The fielding of the KC-46A Pegasus in conjunction with the modernization of the Air Force's Tanker fleet touches nearly every part of the AMC mission."

Chandler led AMC's  KC-46 Weapons Officers immersion and organized the  first  KC-46 Requirements and Planning Council, which earned a U.S. Transportation Command Innovation Award nomination. Additionally, he pioneered the command's Roadmap to KC-46 Initial Operations Capability and was nominated for the AMC Jabara Awards.

"In just under a year, we have come together as a team to create the Roadmap to KC-46 Initial Operational Capability. We assessed our command's preparedness to modernize the Air Force's Tanker Fleet and brought together the Air Force's most senior leaders to guide the future of global reach at the KC-46 4-Star Summit," he said. "The exciting part is, the best is yet to come."

Awardees were not only recognized for shining in their primary duties, but for their self-improvement as well as community involvement and volunteering.

Although the annual awards recognized individual achievements, every recipient stated that they could not have accomplished much without their team.

"The best part of my job is the daily interaction with people from not only my directorate, but throughout AMC to include all other (major commands and headquarters Air Force)," said John Post, AMC A6 Communications Directorate executive support assistant. "I am very fortunate to work in the most professional and dedicated directorate in AMC. The men and women of A6 are exceptional in the execution of their duties and I literally could not be successful in my job without them."

Chandler said the people that he works with have been the best part of his job so far.

"I've had the unique opportunity to work within our command, cross-command, and with our TFI partners at all levels to help prepare the Air Force to successfully field the KC-46A," Chandler said. "It's rewarding to help provide an increased capability to our joint force warfighter brother and sisters and strengthen our ability to respond to crises and contingencies."

The ability to strengthen the mission and team was a common motivation to succeed among the honorees.

"Knowing I'm doing well at my job and doing what I can to improves myself helps me achieve my goals," Hirshfield said. If you focus on doing your best, leadership will recognize your efforts."


2015 HQ AMC Staff Annual Award Winners

Junior Enlisted Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Kristina M. Matz, A2

NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Marjorie A. Webster, DS

Senior NCO of the Year
Master Sgt Derek S. Hirshfield, A4

Company Grade Officer of the Year
Capt. Steven M. Chandler, A5/8

Field Grade Officer of the Year
Lt. Col. Justin B. Radford, A4

Civilian of the Year, Category I
John L. Post, A6

Civilian of the Year, Category II
Marc R. Huth, A4

Civilian of the Year, Category III
William E. Farrell, A2

Volunteer of the Year
John E. Macke, A9

• Date Taken: 02.29.2016
• Date Posted: 03.21.2018 10:51
• Story ID: 270105
• Location: SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL, US