Inaugural ‘Top Fleet’ award goes to 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerri Cole
  • 102nd Intelligence Wing Public Affairs
OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. --  The 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron was named the 2012 "Top Fleet" award recipient during a ceremony here, March 26. This is the first time the award has been granted since the program was established earlier this year.

The annual award is based on the level of paperwork and maintenance that is in compliance within their respective fleet of assigned vehicles, according to the various duties associated with operating a government vehicle. One squadron or organization is then chosen based on who demonstrated the highest overall level of compliance in their respective fleet throughout the year. There is also an individual award given to the vehicle operator who had top overall compliance on a single vehicle.

"We have a lot of vehicles that get a lot of wear-and-tear and we don't necessarily have a lot of manpower," Col. Anthony Schiavi, 102nd Intelligence Wing commander, said. "It takes a lot of time to take care of all of these vehicles."

From March 13 to March 14, the 102nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Maintenance team inspected 118 vehicles to prepare for the Logistics Compliance Assessment Program (LCAP) inspection, which took place March 29 to April 1.

"The 'Top Fleet' award was created as a way to restore pride in government vehicles and for cost savings. We've noticed trends of vehicle abuse and maintenance neglect, so that snowballs into repairs that are uncalled for," Lt. Col. Christopher Hurley, 102nd Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, said.

Out of the 118 vehicles inspected, the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron was named "best overall fleet" with vehicle control officers Allen Johnson and Tom Jones accepting the award. The individual award went to Jerry Towns, who is the operator of a front-end loader in the 102nd Civil Engineer Squadron.

"We take into consideration the way the fleet performed over the year, how they performed in accidents, vehicle abuse and no-notice inspections," Senior Master Sgt. Dale Swartz, 102nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, vehicle maintenance superintendant, said. "Are the fluid levels checked and tire pressure checks signed off by the 10th of the month? Do they have the proper safety cards and forms in the vehicle?"

Several Wing vehicles were randomly chosen for an inspection during the LCAP.

"The goal of this program is to make sure we are recognizing the people who are working hard because often times the only time they hear from us is when they've done something wrong, and we certainly appreciate everything they are doing," Hurley said.