Co-located Reserve Force Support Squadron wins Eubank award

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Daniel Butterfield
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The 302nd Force Support Squadron was recently named the Air Force Reserve Command's Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank award winner for 2014. This A1 (Manpower, Personnel and Services) award recognizes the best small installation force support squadrons in the Air Force.

"It's one of the biggest awards in A1," said Chief Master Sgt. Terry Brassard, superintendent, 302nd FSS. "This award recognizes and encompasses Sustainment, Manpower and Personnel Section, Education and Training, and Airman and Family Readiness. It includes everybody."

The 302nd FSS began its collocating or "proof of concept" with the Active Duty 21st FSS when the two squadrons signed a memorandum of agreement in November 2013. Peterson became the first installation to move toward integrating force support squadrons of two Air Force components.

"We couldn't have done it without the 21st FSS," said Lt. Col. Alan Flolo, former 302nd FSS commander. "It was about attitudes, very positive attitudes from the start. We
didn't see obstacles as roadblocks but obstacles as opportunities."

"When it comes to the facilities on base, the 21 FSS owns them, but we augment them. And that serves two purposes. Not only are we helping them out, but [this serves] also for training for our folks, so that's a great win-win across the board," said Lt. Col. Kristiana Gerdes, 302nd FSS operations officer.

And that collocation or "proof of concept" is another reason Gerdes thinks the 302nd FSS is being recognized.

"This kind of award, in my opinion, has been nice to receive. When you are trying to do your primary job and then you are also given the opportunity to excel in something new, it's an added workload. So to be recognized, it's a great testament to all of our folks' hard work. If you look at the award it really does encompass everything we do," said Gerdes.

The Manpower, Personnel and Services award was named in honor of Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank, who recognized the importance of morale and welfare for America's fighting forces to further the overall Air Force mission.