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Senior NCO finds reward in helping fuels community

  • Published
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  An Air Force veteran with more than 20 years service is Air Force Reserve Command's Senior NCO of the Year and was the command's nominee in that category in the Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year competition.

Senior Master Sgt. Steven C. George is assigned to Headquarters AFRC's Logistics Directorate here, where he manages the command's fuels operations. He is responsible for the training of 32 fuels flights and the day-to-day oversight of fuels operating 10 host bases.

"I am extremely humbled by my selection for such a prestigious recognition," George said." I certainly did not accomplish any of this on my own. It took the support of our fuels units, my peers on the staff, my supervisors and most importantly my family who have always been there for me.

"My assignment here at the headquarters has most certainly been the most rewarding assignment of my career. I truly enjoy coming to work and helping our units out every day. This command has some of the best people I have been affiliated with in my 21 1/2 years in the Air Force."

On his award nomination, George was cited for accomplishing 16 major tasks affecting the training of more than 500 reservists, the managing of millions of dollars in resources and the safeguarding of lives at command installations.

George said playing an integral role in bringing the fuels functional piece of the command's Logistics Compliance Assessment Program online was his most satisfying accomplishment during the award period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2010. He was instrumental in devising fuels checklists better suited to meet the needs of AFRC's unique contract and reserve locations.

He also instructed three LCAP courses resulting in 180 new augmentee inspectors being certified. He put these efforts to the test while conducting LCAP inspections at nine reserve units resulting in 110 findings being validated.

"The main objective was never about the number of findings, but simply making the command's logistical processes even stronger," George explained. "These inspections are part of the command's ongoing effort to bring 42 units to a two-year inspection schedule."

When the Air Force's Alternative Fuels Certification Office needed help evaluating synthetic jet fuel stored at Sheppard AFB, Texas, he petitioned nearby Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, as a suitable test location. Through these efforts, the command's 301st Fighter Wing received more than $300,000 in free issue synthetic fuel while providing further F-16 performance data in support of national fuel objectives.

He also advocated funding for several equipment initiatives during the period. One particular effort protected people and the environment by preventing fuel spills when he secured $350,000 for exchange hydrant couplers at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. He obtained another $340,000 for four hydrant vehicles, a key component to the base's $24 million hydrant fuel system upgrade.

When flight operations at Homestead ARB, Fla., were threatened by deficient cryogenic storage containers, George pushed to get prioritized funding for new replacement tanks.

"It always gives me the most sense of satisfaction when I see the results of my efforts and make a positive impact on command fuels operations," he said.

George also takes time for education. He completed his bachelor's degree in transportation and logistics management while maintaining a 3.9 grade point average and is now turning his attention on a master's degree. In his off-duty time when he is not hitting the books, he volunteers time to raise funds and support activities for local middle school students.