4th LRS earns best fuels management flight in ACC

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mariah Tolbert
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Air Combat Command named the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management Flight the best in the command for 2011.

The fuels management flight competed against 13 military and civilian units within it's command, and came out victorious earning it the Drake Award.

"The fuels management flight Airmen won because they had a common goal in the pursuit of excellence, acted as a team and embraced the 'whole person concept,'" said Chief Master Sgt. Dean Abbott, 4th LRS fuels manager. "People are only limited to what they can do individually because of knowledge and resources, but as a team, there are no limits."

Inspectors evaluated the 4th LRS team on areas like direct mission support, innovative management and quality of life.

In 2011, the fuels management flight supported the 4th Fighter Wing mission by supplying four different types of fuel to more than 60 aircraft and 500 vehicles. The flight worked together to issue approximately 51.5 million gallons of JP-8 to aircraft. The flight also provided the 4th FW with more than 86 thousand gallons of unleaded fuel and approximately 130 thousand gallons of diesel and bio-diesel.

"The flight has set high standards on what we expect to see from Airmen on and off duty," said 1st Lt. Nathaniel Lane, 4th LRS fuel management flight commander. "The men and women of petroleum, oil and lubricants have a great work ethic and take great pride in everything they do."

Despite receiving the award the flight continues to work together and exceed standards in preparation to compete against other fuels management units in different commands. The flight's next goal is to obtain the American Petroleum Institute Trophy.

Lane explained that the Drake award is just a stepping stone to the API trophy and in order to receive this award, the 4th LRS must clearly illustrate an unmatched distinction in equipment and facility maintenance, handling operations and safety.

"The API Trophy is the award that everyone in our career field wants to win and very few ever do," Abbott said. "It feels great to see a large group of individuals form a team and achieve a common goal for the betterment of all. If any flight deserves it, the men and women of Strike Eagle POL do!"