Force support squadron earns AFRC awards

477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

1/9/2014 - Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska  -- Air Force Reserve Command named the 477th Force Support Squadron's military personnel program best in the command and bestowed top honors to its operations officer Dec 6.

For the second year in a row, the squadron's military personnel section earned the AFRC-level Gerrit D. Foster, Jr., Award, which is awarded annually, at the end of the fiscal year, to the command's top military personnel program. The AFRC Directorate of Personnel and Manpower Programs announced the awards in a memorandum.

"This is really something everyone in our military personnel section should be proud of," said Lt. Col. David Kurle, 477th FSS commander since Sept. 7. "These Citizen Airmen and civilians work extremely hard during the week and over unit training assemblies to meet the needs of the 477th Fighter Group.

"I am really happy for them, it validates a lot of effort over the past year," he said.

Senior Master Sgt. R. Adam Keele, the section's superintendent for the past three-and-a-half years was also proud of his team's efforts.

"Obtaining the title 'Best MPS in AFRC' during a time of manning issues, dwindling resources, increasing workload and increased deployments for MPS members, speaks volumes about the caliber and resiliency of our Airmen," he said. "I think this is tremendous recognition of the fine work our MPS performed over the last year.

"We have served our customers with pride, passion and dedication," Keele said.

In addition to the MPS award, Capt. Magaret Kuntz, the squadron's operations officer, was named the AFRC Personnel Company Grade Officer of the Year at the installation level. It was Kuntz's first time receiving this honor.

"This award is truly a recognition of the outstanding team found in the 477th Force Support Squadron," she said. "Their exceptional dedication to service is inspiring and motivating. It's an honor to lead such a fantastic group of Citizen Airmen."

Kuntz and the 477th FSS Military Personnel Section will go on to compete for the same awards at the Air Force level.