911th flight named best in AFRC

The 2015 winners of the Golden Derrick award for Best Fuels Management Flight repeated their accomplishment in 2017 as they were named best in the Air Force Reserve Command once again.

The 911th Fuels Management Flight, or LGRF, received their award during a ceremony here June 2, 2018, with Col. Gretchen M. Wiltse, the chief of the AFRC Logistics Readiness Division, visiting to present.

“Your reputation proceeds you,” said Wiltse. “The command is proud of you. Thank you for the hard work you do keeping the core tasks well managed.”

Wiltse went on to praise the Airmen for developing a training plan that has expanded beyond Pittsburgh to the entire AFRC. The training plan is focused on keeping the LGRF well ahead of their training requirements, while simultaneously developing their Airmen.

“(The plan) ensures everyone is trained and proficient so they can deploy and do their jobs,” said Tech Sgt. Jorden Hosler, a fuels distribution supervisor.

Their plan was put to the test in 2017 when the majority of the Airmen with the LGRF deployed for six months, while the remaining few at home station received high marks on inspections, and traveled to aid hurricane relief efforts in Florida. The Airmen of the LGRF credit their performance during this period as a primary contributor to their 2017 victory.

By rule, the same unit cannot win the Golden Derrick award two years in a row, making the 911th’s victories in 2015 and 2017 essentially back-to-back. Col. Douglas Strawbridge, the 911th Airlift Wing commander, shared his confidence in making it a three-peat in 2019.

“See you in two years,” Strawbridge stated as the ceremony concluded.