Civil engineers bring home three Air Force-level awards

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alesia D. Goosic
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  Airmen from the 18th Civil Engineer Group here received three "Best in the Air Force" awards for their accomplishments in 2010.

The 18th CEG, which is composed of the 18th and 718th Civil Engineer Squadrons, was awarded the Major General Clifton D. Wright Award, the Harry P. Rietman Award and the General Thomas D. White Environmental Quality Award.

"Results like these at the Air Force level speaks highly of the fantastic team we have here in the 18th Civil Engineer Group," said Col. Brian Duffy, the 18th CEG commander. "Airmen, civilians and our Okinawan work force at all levels contributed to this accomplishment. It's an honor and privilege to be a part of this magnificent organization."

The 18th CES's Operations Flight was awarded the 2010 Major General Clifton D. Wright Award, which recognizes the most outstanding CE operations flight in the performance of quality maintenance, repair and improvement of installation facilities and infrastructure.

Throughout the year, flight members oversaw 23,000 individual work requests, performed 7,000 hours of recurring work on critical systems, and ultimately kept base infrastructure, facilities and the airfield mission operating. The flight also directed PACAF's largest Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative. They secured $14.8 million for air conditioning system upgrades at 43 critical wing facilities, while saving $60 million over the next 20 years.

In addition, Gary Gentz, the flight chief for the 18th CES Operations Flight, earned the 2010 Harry P. Reitman Award, recognizing the Air Force's most outstanding civil engineer senior civilian manager.

"This flight has been blessed with truly extraordinary people across the board," Mr. Gentz said. "The leadership, teamwork and never-say-die attitude of all personnel exceeded expectations of every challenge imaginable. Beyond a doubt, the major accomplishments of this team would not have occurred without the awesome people we have assigned to Kadena (Air Base)."

The 718th Civil Engineer Squadron's Asset Management Flight also received Air Force-level recognition when its environmental program was awarded the Environmental Quality Award in the Overseas Installation category.

While many overseas Air Force installations are doing their best to comply with environmental regulations, the 718th CES's environmental outreach efforts set them apart from the rest, officials said.

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, flight officials partnered with other organizations to pull off the largest environmental outreach campaign in Kadena AB's history. On Earth Day 2010, thousands of free reusable shopping bags were distributed in an effort to reduce the environmental impact on the island.

"The asset management flight is a team of hard-working professionals, and winning this award is a wonderful culmination of all that hard work," said Lt. Col. Ann Birchard, the commander of the 718th CES. "I am proud of their efforts and pleased to see the Air Force recognizes the outstanding contribution they have made to (the 718th CES) and the surrounding community."

Colonel Duffy said he looks forward to another year of great accomplishment from the 18th CEG.

"This is only the beginning," Colonel Duffy said. "With five of our seven flights earning "best" at the PACAF level, we'll be knocking at the Air Force door again next year with even greater accomplishments. Our team has both the technical ability and the drive to tackle any challenge they're presented with. It's a great time to be an engineer here at Kadena (AB)."