New York Air National Guard Airmen who handle cargo for 109th Airlift Wing recognized as best in U.S. Air Force

109th Air Transportation Operations Center named 2018 "Air Force Air Transportation Activity of the Year"

Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia,, NY (04/24/2019) — The 109th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Air Transportation team here was recently selected for the 2018 Air Force Air Transportation Activity of the Year award.

The New York Air National Guard unit was the only Guard unit to take home an award from the 2018 Air Force Maintenance and Logistics Readiness Individual and Unit Awards.

"These awards recognize individuals and organizations within the Logistics community for outstanding contributions to the success of Air Force and DoD missions," said Lisa Smith, Deputy Director of Logistics, in a memo announcing the winners. "We received over 300 outstanding packages and given the extremely rigorous competition, all individual and unit nominees should be commended for their outstanding accomplishments."

The Air Transportation Operations Center consists of 50 Airmen responsible for securely managing cargo and passengers. The 109th AW is home to the only ski-equipped cargo aircraft, the LC-130, able to land on snow and ice.

"During the past year, they provided support across the globe, including Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico, cargo retrograde at the South Pole Station, and cargo and passenger support to Operation Deep Freeze and the National Science Foundation in Antarctica and Greenland," said Lt. Col. Tammy Street, 109th LRS commander.

"(Everyone from my most junior enlisted to the higher enlisted) continues to perform at an exceptional level, whether it's the fulltime work force or the drill status guardsmen," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Mann, 109th ATOC manager.

"These outstanding men and women shine in every task they undertake," Street said. Along with their missions around the globe, "they're always among the first to volunteer to support the citizens of New York when natural disasters strike. No matter the location or task, the excellent character and strong work-ethic of these Air Transporters produces profound results! It's wonderful to see their hard work recognized at the national level!"

"Folks continue to volunteer for the many aspects that earned us this award," Mann said. "It is extremely beneficial as well, that when we are doing all the things we do, to have the support of leadership, and that happens all the time here. Another example on how we are able to succeed."

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