Retired Airman earns Airlifter of the Week for outstanding customer service

Story and photo by
Airman First Class Noah D. Coger
86th Airflift Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August coins Alinka Perkins, KMC housing office receptionist, Vogelweh Military Complex, July 10. Perkins was recoginzed for her ourtstanding customer service.

A Kaiserslautern Military Com­munity housing office receptionist received the honor of being named Airlifter of the Week, July 10.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander, coined Alinka Perkins in front of a room full of customers.
“Every Airman and family comes through the Housing Office at some point,” said August. “On behalf of the 66,000 Americans here in the KMC, thank you for your great customer service.”
Perkins signed in, directed, and assisted the queries of 1,500 customers during the month of May. In the peak permanent change of station season, she worked with and transmitted over 200 financial documents each week to both U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army finance offices to ensure PCS entitlements were processed as quickly as possible.
“She runs the entire reception area for the housing office,” said Heather L. Lewis, Housing Management Assistance Chief. “She’s the first face that people see in the housing office. She has over 100 customers a day during the summer and handles each one with excellent customer service and always does her job with a smile on her face.”
As a retired technical sergeant and former noncommissioned officer in charge of force management, Perkins is very familiar with the trials and processes that Airmen face when coming to a new base.
“I just like to help people. Everyone comes in here and I can say ‘hey, I’ve been through this, I can help you out and make this process as smooth as possible,’” said Perkins.
Through her profound subject knowledge, courtesy, and professionalism, she epitomizes what the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron and Ramstein Air Base represent.
The Airlifter of the Week program recognizes Ramstein Airmen who, through their hard work and dedication, make the 86th AW the “World’s Best Wing.”