Logistics team recognized with AETC annual awards

Published April 7, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Moore
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Logistics Readi-ness Squadron claimed four Air Education and Training Command awards for 2009.

Winners now compete at Air Force level.

Master Sgt. Patrick Key is AETC's vehicle operations senior noncommissioned officer of the year. Sergeant Key filled both the senior enlisted manager and flight superintendent positions and managed 167 personnel with a 99.6 percent customer satisfaction rate. Sergeant Key managed the second largest Air Force mobility platform where he was responsible for 933 unit type codes, 2,200 members and more than 700 taskings.

Tech Sgt. Robert Rakes, air transportation NCO of the year, filled a unique role as Security Force/Army civilian affairs agent during a demanding joint expeditionary tasking to Afghanistan. He created a comprehensive tracking system through which he monitored critical NATO operations districts, a key to Afghan stability. During his deployment, Sergeant Rakes also initiated the standup of eight schools, four medical centers and 15 water wells increasing the quality of life for 280,000 Afghans.

Tech Sgt. Antrinia Alexander is the command's vehicle management NCO of the year. She was responsible for a 10-man fleet where her leadership was vital in the return of 75 percent of vehicles back to users in less than 24 hours, beating the major command goal by 15 percent. She piloted the 81st Training Wing's low-speed vehicle conversion and jump-started "green" initiatives. Sergeant Alexander also was credited with procuring the wing's surrey bus.

Tech. Sgt. Roger Stewart is AETC's traffic management NCO of the year. He coordinated and implemented the first-ever electronic-ticket process at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, reducing customer wait time from 48 to two hours. He led a four-member team coined by 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and managed AETC's busiest personal property section providing service to 29,000 members with 99 percent customer satisfaction.