70th Aerial Port Squadron wins big

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lou Burton
  • 482d Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  The 70th Aerial Port Squadron was selected the best air transportation activity in the Guard and Reserve. The "Mako Port" is being bestowed the Air Reserve Component Air Transportation Activity of the Year award at a ceremony and banquet on May 26, 2011, in Arlington, Va.

     "It was a perfect storm of events that provided us with the opportunities to succeed," said Lt. Col. Diana Echols, 70th APS commander. "We're very humbled by this award."

     This prestigious award covers all Aerial Port units in the Guard and Reserve. There were many extremely deserving units, but the "Mako Port" stood out for three major events.

     First, in January and February 2010, the 70th APS supported Haitian relief efforts by processing and loading humanitarian aid being shipped to Haiti from Homestead.

     "We feel blessed to have been able to help make a difference by supporting humanitarian assistance efforts to the people of Haiti," said Lt. Col. Echols.

     Second, in May, the unit earned an "Excellent" rating in all 12 categories of the first-ever Homeland Security/Defense -theme Operational Readiness Inspection.

     "We knew the Homeland Security/Defense theme ORI was going to be a major challenge, and we began preparing more than a year in advance," said Lt. Col. Echols. "Our senior leadership did an outstanding job preparing for this ORI."

     Third, in September, a team of 59 Porters were mobilized for a deployment to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan during the time of a major surge in Operation Enduring Freedom. Two other Porters also deployed to the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.

     "After the ORI, we focused our attention on the AEF to Bagram Air Base. I'm very proud of our great accomplishments during this major surge in operations," said Lt. Col. Echols. "Amazingly, ten of those folks have turned right back around and volunteered to deploy once again."

     "We were able to build on each success as we moved throughout the year, and all the real world and training experience carried right over into our AEF," said Senior Master Sgt. George Welch, 70th APS Chief of Operations. "We stepped up and went to the busiest aerial port in the Department of Defense did a fantastic and safe job."

     The award recognizes the 70th APS outstanding contributions within the logistics community which has helped lead to the success of Air Force and Department of Defense missions.