LRS recognized as best in AFRC

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Barbara Plante
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Through innovated management and sheer hard work the 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron was recognized at the Air Force Reserve level as LRS of the Year (Non Flying Unit) for 2015.

"Luke Air Force Base is a very exciting place with the addition of the F-35 training mission and the unprecedented growth of the 944th Fighter Wing.  We are partnering hand-in-hand with the active duty in multiple Total Force Initiatives," said Lt. Col. Kip Schlum, 944th LRS commander.  

Including the LRS commander, who had the opportunity to serve as the 56th Fighter Wing Mission Support Group deputy commander since June of last year, the LRS squadron has supported the active duty locally to backfill shortfalls due to deployments for the last nine months in all facets of LRS.
       
"To be honest, this recognition comes as no surprise to me. They are a very diverse squadron with many specialties which is key to the success of the group and the wing at large," said Col Paul Theisen, 944th Mission Support Group commander. 

"There are few finer or harder working airmen in our wing. They expertly execute a broad range of support from fuels delivery for flying operations, packing and creating, specialty vehicle maintenance and repair, passenger support, moving personnel and equipment through the air and over land, manage complex deployment and redeployment operations, and the list goes on and on.  They are the absolute best at what they do.  My hat is off to LRS and a job continually well done."

As a total force enterprise posterchild the squadron provided 10 Airmen and over 1,500 days of support to Air Education and Training Command, Air Combat Command, and Air Force Material Command.

The unit orchestrated eight Air Expeditionary Force and seven Deployment Review Boards training deployments moving 343 passengers to seven world worldwide locations with zero discrepancies noted.

With direction from the LRS commander the Quality Assurance section was overhauled.  They trained two new evaluators and a superintendent, conducted 97 inspections, as well as streamlined training which increased capabilities by 40 percent.  The squadron also has a stellar training program which has become the benchmark for the wing. In addition, the training office drafted and finalized training guidance for unit deployment managers which vastly improved deployment operations thus providing mission ready Airmen for AEF tasking's.

"The best part of my job is visiting the shops our folks are in and hearing all of the great things they are doing.  Their counterparts typically don't even know that these fellow Airmen are Reservists.  This award is purely a testament to the outstanding Airmen we have the pleasure to lead here in the 944th LRS," said Schlum.

By volunteering for a 13 month deployment with 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Staff Sgt. Julia Juvera-Silvain, 944th LRS traffic management craftsman, is excited she was able to contribute to the squadron receiving this award.  

As a work lead in the packing and shipping section, she provided support to the largest military aircraft boneyard in the world.  Her direct support helped salvage over 60 aircraft parts and saved the Air Force 10 million dollars.

"It's exciting to be part of the LRS and I feel honored. It took a lot of hard work and dedication from everyone to win this award.  Our unit does so many great things that go unrecognized, so it is really a great feeling when your efforts are recognized," said Juvera-Silvain .