Logisticians team efforts reap rewards Published Jan. 19, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Stephanie Ashley Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron was presented with ten individual awards recently in recognition of their contributions and continued support of Team Minot's nuclear deterrence mission. "The Air Force's Logistics Readiness individual and unit awards program recognizes individuals and home station squadrons, depot units, or any other Major Command organization which excelled in performance and made outstanding contributions to the Air Force mission in Fiscal year 2011," said Ann L. Mitchell, Air Force Global Strike Command director of logistics, installations and mission support. The superintendent of the 5th LRS, Senior Master Sgt. Marcus J. Johnson, praised the squadron's achievement by saying, although Airmen were recognized individually it takes a team effort to succeed. "While each member of a team has a different role, no one person is more important than the other," Johnson said. "This team concept is stressed and embraced from the commander, down to our youngest Airman. So while winning 10 individual awards is a great honor and a testament to the talents of each winner, this was truly a team effort." Most every tier was recognized, all the way from Airman to officer. The concept of a group effort does not stop with enlisted members but requires the equal efforts of enlisted, officers and civilians. "This shows that there are outstanding performers and more importantly, strong leadership in every tier," said Johnson. "Balance is an important quality in any successful organization and we have that." In addition to routine operations the 5th LRS was able to support flood relief efforts in the summer of 2011. Even the most average person and organization can succeed under ideal circumstances said Johnson. It's overcoming adverse situations that separate the great ones from the rest of the pack he added. "This proves the 5th LRS is a winning organization," he said. Johnson expressed that in his 19 years of service, the 5th LRS has been the most outstanding squadron he's been a part of and they are getting better each day. Master Sgt. Paul Huston, 5th LRS fuels information service center section chief and recipient of the Master Sergeant Gillespie Fuels Senior NCO award, agreed with Johnson that they did a pretty impressive job in being able to earn these awards. Huston explained that frequent deployments were one of the things that also made them more competitive. "I came back last January from a year-long tour in Afghanistan," said Huston, adding that one of his Airmen, Senior Airman David S. Peterson, 5th LRS fuels laboratory technician and recipient of the Fuels Airman of the Year award, just recently returned from deployment in Iraq as well. Peterson expressed that his success was due in part to a positive work environment. "I love this job," said Peterson. "There is a lot to learn and it's a great experience. It was a great award to achieve." Below is the complete list of the Air Force Global Strike Command Logistics Readiness Unit and Individual Award Winners from Minot AFB: Logistics Readiness Company Grade officer - Capt. Ayana N. Tuchscherer Fuels Airman of the Year - Senior Airman. David S. Peterson Fuels Non-commissioned Officer of the Year - Staff Sgt. Mandelyn C. Cook Master Sgt. Gillespie Fuels Senior Non-commissioned Officer award - Master Sgt. Paul T. Huston Logistics Plans Non-commissioned Officer - Tech. Sgt. Afryea N. Clark Logistics Readiness Civilian Manager - Mr. Robert E. Pulkinen Materiel Management Civilian Technician - Mr. Robert L. Ashley Chief Master Sgt. Speight Materiel Management Senior Non-commissioned Officer - Master Sgt. Darnell J. Benson Traffic Management Airman - Senior Airman Joshua C. Popejoy Vehicle Operations Non-commissioned Officer - Tech. Sgt. Bradley A. Williams