Barksdale Airmen receive AF-level Recognition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- --  Barksdale Airmen cheered as the winners of the United States Air Force Outstanding Aviation Resource Management Sergeant Dee Campbell Small Unit Team of the Year 2010 award were announced here during a safety briefing Sept. 1 at Hoban Hall.

Airmen in the aviation resource management career field on Barksdale received the award in recognition of their accomplishments during calendar year 2010.

"The 1CO's (aviation and resource management AFSC) took initiative with a number of programs throughout the year," said Chief Master Sgt. Barriet Thomas, chief of host aviation resource management. "Half of them were deployed and they still managed to develop new training products, implement new flying programs and demonstrate leadership."

A few of the Barksdale aviation and resource management team's accomplishments last year included deployments to Kandahar, Bagram, Guam, Balad and Al Udeid, setting the standard for the 2nd Bomb Wing with a 100 percent compliance rating from headquarters and coordinating academic schedules for 880 aircrew members.

To add to the team's accomplishments, Airman 1st Class Jamie Walden,  2nd Operations Support Squadron aviation resource management apprentice, brought home an Airman of the Month award for September 2010. To earn the award she participated in the Airmen Against Drunk Driving program, Relay for Life and Operation Warm Heart among several other activities.

"I wouldn't have accomplished what I did last year without the support of my peers," said Walden. "The people in my office are go-getters and watching them succeed makes me want to succeed. I'm constantly feeding off of their excitement and motivation."

The motivation of the aviation resource management career field Airmen can be seen throughout several squadrons here, including the 11th Bomb Squadron, the 20th Bomb Squadron, the 96th Bomb Squadron, and the current operations flight and flight records in the 2 OSS.

Airmen in the aviation resource management career have many responsibilities on a daily basis, said Walden. They monitor over 840 flyers and jumpers, ensuring each member remains current and qualified during their aviation service. They also manage each member's flight and jump pay, and track their flight physicals and physiological training to make sure the aircrew are mission ready at all times.

"Our 1CO's are spread out on base and they do a great job at making sure the mission objectives are consistently met," said Thomas. "I am very proud of their achievements. The award is a great accomplishment for those in the aviation and resource management field here at Barksdale."