86th Ops Group recognized for excellence

by Airman 1st Class Dymekre Allen
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 86th Operations Group was awarded the Aviation Resource Management Team of the Year Award in U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.

The outstanding small unit ARM team’s prestigious award highlights units from the 86th Operations Support Squadron, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 76th Airlift Squadron and the 37th Airlift Squadron.

The award showcases the efforts of all Airmen who strive every day to accomplish the mission. These Airmen not only took care of their unit-specific mission, but also came together as a team on numerous occasions — core training on and off the job.

They positively impacted the community by hosting a dinner at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility for wounded warriors as well as devoted numerous volunteer hours supporting the ring-a-bell holiday fundraiser.

“It’s a credit to all their hard work,” said Lt. Col. Sean Finnan, 86th OSS director of operations. “It’s a very nice recognition of all their behind-the-scene efforts.”

The Airmen of the operations group provide support to the airlift squadrons here. Their main mission is to make sure their people and equipment are ready by maintaining flight records, validating aircrew safety, overseeing physical requirements for the airlift squadrons, monitoring daily flight mission data and scheduling for aircrew training.
“One team, one voice,” said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Belcher Jr., 37th AS NCOIC. “We are definitely honored for the recognition of our team efforts in this career field.”

Master Sgt. Shaneeka Jones, 86th OSS flight records superintendent, was recognized by her peers within the group as the ARM senior NCO of the year for her hard work, contributions and support within the team. She will compete at the Air Force level for senior NCO of the year.

“Jones is a young and motivated master sergeant filling a very challenging role in our Air Force,” said Senior Master Sgt. Joanne Bass, 86th OG superintendent. “By contentiously leading from the front, she motivates and drives the other aviation resource managers.”