Kadena garners AF installation excellence awards Published April 11, 2007 By Scott D. Hallford 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Air Force officials recently recognized 16 units, programs and individuals at Kadena for excellence, the most of any base in the Air Force. Three units, five unit programs and eight Team Kadena members were named 2006 Commander-in-Chief Installation Excellence Special Recognition award winners. Kadena's 18th Services Squadron received the five unit program awards. "Kadena Services is proud to receive this recognition for so many of our activities," said Col. Guy Palumbo, 18th SVS commander. "This honor is the result of very talented managers and hard-working staffs who are in tune with our customers. We receive more than 1,000 comment cards monthly and basically partner with our customers in adding programming and services that meet their needs. "Being recognized for the CinC Installation Excellence tells us we're not only doing the right things, but doing them well," said Colonel Palumbo. "Our feedback tells us our customers agree. While we always have room for improvement, we are doing everything we can to keep customer service at the forefront." Seven of the eight individual award winners were from the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron. "It's quite an honor for so many of my engineers to be singled out," said Lt. Col. Bart Barnhart, 18th CES commander. "They're all simply outstanding and it's no surprise the awards committee recognized their contributions. Every day you can count on these Shoguns to represent the spirit Team Kadena is all about." The Kadena winners include: 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron -Earned the 2005 Warren G. Carter Daedalian Award. -Managed 170 facility custodians and 85 buildings worth $113 million. -In a successful year-end closeout, corrected error transactions reimbursing $2.8 million in 18th Wing flying hour dollars. 18th LRS Fuels -Accelerated monthly inspection of 45 fueling vehicles from five days to one. -Developed a Web-based tracker ensuring environmental compliance of 280 tanks. -Piloted fuels portion of Army 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion in support of bed-down plan. 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight -Conducted first-ever U.S.-Japan joint fire and hazardous material training exercise involving 225 members. -In 10 days, found and corrected 327 life-safety issues in 1,800 lodging and dormitory rooms. -Stood-up first Air Force-Marine Corps firefighter exchange program. 18th Services Child Development Program -Scored 7.7 percent higher than previous year on Air Force inspection with no non-compliance findings. -Received the Pacific Air Forces Best Child Development Program award for the third consecutive year. -Provided daily quality care for more than 600 children. 18th SVS Enlisted Club Complex (Rocker NCO Club) - Served more than 450 customers weekly with a Sunday brunch buffet without competing for same customers and dollars from the officers' club. -Provided free taxi vouchers for customers to anywhere on Okinawa resulting in no DUIs from the club. -Voted Best Enlisted Club in the Pacific for the second consecutive year by readers of "Stars and Stripes." 18th SVS Fitness Complex (Risner Gym) -Largest, most comprehensive fitness and sports program in Air Force Services, providing support to 72,000 patrons. -Highest ratio in 18th SVS for U.S. - Japanese recognition program. -Maintained 1 percent equipment downtime despite no funding for repair parts. 18th SVS Outdoor Recreation -Completed $2.2 million kennel renovation project. -Developed a department-wide customer feedback incentive program improving customer satisfaction and incorporating suggestions into policy changes. -Provided a variety of recreational opportunities for more than 300,000 customers in fiscal year 2006. 18th SVS Youth Program -Most extensive youth program in the Air Force, providing services for more than 30,000 active-duty and DoD employees' children. -First in registering youths in Fit Factor for all of Pacific Air Forces. -Renovated old gymnasium into Nakayoshi Youth Programs Complex, providing new space for teenagers and sports programs. The following are some of the achievements of individual Shogun award winners: Master Sgt. Willard Victoria, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron data records superintendent -Led $90 million inventory inputs in Automated Civil Engineers System. -Achieved 95 percent in first-choice furnishings delivery dates for more than 45,000 customers. -Enhanced the readiness posture and fight against insurgents by overseeing an $8 million supply account for coalition forces. Tech. Sgt. David Anderson,18th CES pavements and construction equipment craftsman -Led contingency vehicle training keeping more than 450 troops combat ready. -Oversight of airfield mowing operations of more than 680. -Led a waste recycling program diverting 1,700 tons of waste to avoid $750,000 in disposal costs. Tech. Sgt. Ryan Girley, 18th CES electrical power production craftsman -Rectified four supply deficiencies, clearing $45,000 in back orders and rebalancing critical stock levels. -Resurrected hazardous waste accumulation point, bringing deficiency write-ups to none. -Supervised 1,500 hours of preventative maintenance inspections. Tech. Sgt. Joseph Romero, 18th CES structural craftsman NCO in charge -Led 27 multiskilled military and master labor contract workers, maintaining 309 facilities valued at $750,000. -As training and safety NCO for a 35-member shop, contributed to 18th Civil Engineer Group's training and safety programs being named best in the wing. -Made expedient structural repairs to NCOA/ALS dorms improving life-safety concerns for 973 students annually. Tech. Sgt. Justin Stoltzfus, 18th CES mechanical systems floor chief. -Spearheaded upgrades of flight simulator enabling 2,000 training hours. -Ran overhaul of air compressors on hyperbaric chamber saving $775,000. -Managed a five-year plan readying 1,800 mechanical systems worth more than $1 billion. Staff Sgt. Ryan Knight, 18th CES structural journeyman. -Built electrical junction boxes for a squadron's lighting system increasing visibility 40 percent in a 10,000-square-foot maintenance bay. -Served as facility manager, overseeing $35,000 in upgrades providing a better work environment. -Maintained 432 facilities covering eight off-base sites with notable customer service despite 50 percent of squadron members being deployed. Staff Sgt. Todd Mcada, 18th CES structural craftsman. -Assisted with renovation of 5,000-square-foot Japanese Air Self-Defense facility perpetuating joint military operations. -Led Kadena Pride Team helping keep 76 miles and 1,200 acres of the base clean. -Orchestrated typhoon emergency response reinforcing two hangars helping shield $15 million in flying assets. Mr. Randall Kimura, 18th CES mechanical systems foreman -Single-handedly revised a $2 million recurring work program fixing 84 discrepancies. -Spearheaded the translation of 50 Japanese maintenance manuals ensuring continuity and understanding between more than 40 local nationals and Airmen. -Repaired vital cooling system for the Navy's high-frequency shore terminal protecting $5 million in assets.