NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland –
Celebrating 51 years of excellence in fuels management operation and fuel handling, the 2017 Department of Defense Fuels Awards Ceremony took place at the Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center in National Harbor, Maryland, April 11.
Defense Logistics Agency Energy hosted the annual fuels awards during its Worldwide Energy Conference.
“Tonight, we recognize the best-of-the-best in the most important thing we do – getting fuel to the warfighter when and where they need it,” said DLA Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Martin Chapin. “The criteria and categories differ for each service, but they share the common bond of outstanding performance and pride as professionals doing what they do better than anybody else.”
Each year the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps service control points nominate the best fuels management operations in DoD and pay special tribute to excellence in fuel handling. Each service control point screens its applicants through an intensive quality control criterion.
“We are very excited about this year’s ceremony,” said Army Petroleum Quality Noncommissioned Officer in Charge Sgt. First Class Darius Andrus. “The winners here today represent thousands of military and civilian personnel who ensure quality fuel is delivered on time, every time.
Naval Supply Energy Office Director Navy Capt. Ed Bogdanowicz presented the excellence in Naval Fuel Management Recognition Program for the Navy and Marine Corps individuals and units that made the most significant contributions to the fuels mission during the calendar year.
Marine Corps Fuels Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year: Cpl. Demetrius Patterson, Seventh Engineer Support Battalion
Navy Fuels Petty Officer of the Year: Petty Officer Kristen Nicolas, USS Mason (DDG 87)
Marine Corps Fuels Staff Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year: Gunnery Sgt. Ralph Wright, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172
Navy Fuels Chief Petty Officer of the Year: Senior Chief Petty Officer Criss Coleman, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka, Site Sasebo, Japan
Marine Corps Fuels Officer of the Year: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chad Hentzel, Third Marine Logistics Group
Navy Fuels Officer of the Year: Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Melchert, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville, Florida
Marine Corps [Fuels] Civilian of the Year: Gregory Roberts, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina
Navy Fuels Civilian of the Year: Digna Feria, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, California
Outstanding Capitalized Unit Afloat: USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8)
Outstanding Marine Corps Tactical Unit: Marine Wing Support Squadron 172
Outstanding Navy Retail Fuel Activity: Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada
Outstanding Marine Corps Non-Tactical Fuel Activity: Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina
Outstanding Bulk Fuel Terminal: Defense Fuel Supply Point Craney Island, Virginia
“The real work is what you do every day,” Chapin said. “I am impressed by the sense of teamwork this particular community has. Nothing happens without fuel. I do not want any of you to forget that. No one will go anywhere without the fuel you provide.”
Army Petroleum Center Deputy Director Dave Corbin presented the winners in the Army’s American Petroleum Institute awards program. They included:
Tactical Petroleum, Oils & Lubricants Soldier of the Year: Staff Sgt. Vincent Dupree, 59th Quartermaster Company, Fort Carson, Colorado
Tactical Operations Unit Award: 515th Transportation Company, 16th Sustainment Brigade
Army Fixed Facility Operations Awards:
Army Europe & Africa Supporting Laboratory operated by DLA Energy Europe & Africa
Air Force Col. Jim Wilkie, commander of the Air Force Petroleum Office presented the Air Force American Petroleum Institute Award winners which included:
Air National Guard Outstanding Fuels Management Flight: 115th Fuels Management Flight
Best in the Active Duty Air Force: 354th Fuels Management Flight for safely issuing over 42 million gallons of fuel to power 8,800 sorties. Additionally they led the charge for the impending F-35 beddown by advocating for and securing a new $11 million R-11 refuel storage shelter and a $7.2 million cryogenic facility according to the award citation.
“The awards ceremony was a great way to honor those who represent the very best of us in the fuels community,” said Capt. Charles Morton, deputy director of Air Force Fuels Operations Support. “It was exciting to see all the Services and DLA Energy come together, symbolizing that delivering capability to the warfighter is, at its core, a joint effort...very awe inspiring!”