Air Force recognizes 446th personnel flight among best

Staff Sgt. Grant Saylor/446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Reservists who seek assistance from the 446th Mission Support Squadron’s Military Personnel Flight customer service desk can expect bright smiles and lightning-fast service, courtesy of professionals such as Senior Airman April Ranes. Apparently, word has gotten around.

Ranes and her teammates at the MPF and throughout the squadron were recently recognized as winners of the Fourth Air Force Gerrit D. Foster Jr. Award for outstanding military personnel program.

“The folks in the MPF have overcome a lot of obstacles over the last couple of years and continue to come out on top,” said Col. Lisa Tank, 446th Airlift Wing vice commander. “This recognition is well deserved and earned.”

The 446th MSS was also nominated for the award at the Air Force Reserve Command level, and for good reason. Among its numerous accomplishments in fiscal year 2009, the squadron directed in-processing and out-processing actions for nearly 1,300 deploying personnel, and processed more than 400 re-enlistments and extensions, nearly 2,000 ID cards and roughly 300 award packages and medals.

“I think this award illustrates the value of teamwork,” said Capt. Vanessa Balint, 446th MSS/MPF commander. “We’ve capitalized on our strengths, and I think we’ve been doing a bang-up job.”

Members of the 446th MSS go to great lengths to help their fellow Reservists. For those Airmen who took the opportunity to increase their personal growth, the MSS was there to help them along. The MSS warriors played a significant role in processing 70 Reservists assigned to the 446th AW who earned their Community College of the Air Force degrees in 2009.

“I think this really solidifies the fact that we have well-trained troops who are respected throughout the command,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Ellison, 446th MSS assistant chief of military personnel.

Ellison said that’s a testament to the caliber of the 446th MSS commander, Lt. Col. William Pelster.

“Pelster leads by example, and the troops respond to that kind of leadership,” said Ellison.

Despite low manning numbers and an increased operations tempo, the 446th MSS remains intensely focused on the mission.