944th LRS competes for Golden Derrick Award

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. David Thoreson
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron is one of two finalists in this year's American Petroleum Institute's Golden Derrick Award. 

A team visited the wing's fuel management operation March 7 to determine the best in the Air Force Reserve Command. 

"I'm very proud, but not the least surprised, that we were chosen as one of the final two units selected for another command level award," said Lt. Col. Paul Theisen, 944th LRS commander. "Our fuels Airmen take their duties very seriously and they are willing to put in the efforts to make them stand out as the cream of the crop." 

The 944th LRS fuels management flight has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments that have exceeded Air Force standards, improved productivity and enhanced efficiency. 

"I may sound like I am bragging but I'm confident in our team," Colonel Theisen said. "The 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen have established a prideful and successful squadron and I am very grateful to be a part of it." 

In 2008, the fuels management flight delivered 450,000 gallons of fuel with zero delays and no safety mishaps. In addition, they maintained a 14-minute fuel request response time, which surpassed the Air Force standard by 55 percent. 

The flight developed a cryogenic conservation program involving nine of Luke's aircraft maintenance units conserving 10,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and nitrogen annually. 

"My flight has worked tirelessly to attain a level of technical and managerial expertise that I have not seen in my 22 years in this refueling flight," said Senior Master Sgt. Russell Corbin, 944th LRS fuels management flight superintendent. 

To do this, the flight realigned the 40-hour task qualification training program on the R-11 fuel truck with state level commercial Driver License Training. This initiative, combined with implementing a 90-point serviceability inspection, resulted in a 4 percent in-commission rate increase for Air Education and Training Command's oldest refueling flight. 

"Regardless of the outcome of the competition, I am proud of our flight's accomplishments in 2008," Sergeant Corbin said. "I was the first fuels technician assigned to the 944th Fighter Wing in 1987. I have seen this flight grow and mature into a premium team of professionals. Many flight successes have occurred since 1987, but this nomination has been the most rewarding and enjoyable so far."