Pope wins AMC Mission Support Awards Published Feb. 9, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Air Mobility Command has announced the winners of the 2007 Mission Support Awards and three of its winners are from Pope. "Congratulations to our recent AMC award winners and thank you for your hard work and dedication to the mission," said Col. Pat Savoy, 43rd Mission Support Group Commander. "I am very proud of your accomplishments and even more proud of the many Airmen, civilians and Reservists that create, sustain and protect combat capability at Pope. Your contributions to this great nation do not go unnoticed. Taking care of our people also includes recognizing their contributions to the success of the mission. This recognition from AMC validates what we already know: people, mission and motivation is more than a catchy phrase at Pope; it's a way of life." The Pope AMC winners are: Outstanding Personnel Manager Of The Year: Tech. Sgt. Tammy Berry 43rd Mission Support Squadron Sergeant Berry provides assistance to active duty, Reserve/Guard, contractors, retired and family members in issuing DoD ID cards. Some of her other duties include overseas base newcomer orientation, managing Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, updating and processing naturalization/immigration requests, processing insurance applications and re-imbursement requests. She has won this award at the Air Force level as well. Sergeant Berry joined the Air Force to defend her country. She said her next goal is to start working toward her Bachelor's degree, and she wants to someday get a job in a joint environment/location. "Sergeant Berry is a dedicated noncommissioned officer who gives 110 percent at all times," said Master Sgt. Alexandra Hoellein, 43rd Mission Support Squadron. "She has the unique ability to balance mission, customer service, and mentorship to her Airmen in what amounts to a superior effort. She goes above and beyond for her customers and that is what made her a winner." Air Force Education and Training Manager Awards: Senior Master Sgt. Oliver Niles Jr. 43rd Maintenance Operations Squadron Sergeant Niles is the superintendent for 74 military and four civilian personnel. He manages the annual maintenance awards and quarterly awards program, reviews performance reports, awards and decorations for all assigned personnel; serves as base functional manager for 13 education and training managers; directs the 43rd Airlift Wing Maintenance Qualification Training Program, providing 19 logistics courses for 756 maintenance personnel to meet the wing's peacetime/wartime missions. Sergeant Niles joined the Air Force to further his education and to travel. He said his next goal is to prepare his family and himself for a short-tour assignment to Korea and to make chief master sergeant. His long-term goal is to start considering and formulating a plan for transitioning out of the Air Force. "Sergeant Niles worked very hard improving the Military Training Flight this past year and is extremely deserving of this award," said Maj. Andy Shanahan, 43rd MOS Commander. "Despite losing two-thirds of his instructors, he managed to keep all training requirements available to Pope, and actually reduced a portion of the aircraft maintenance training backlog. He has proven to be an invaluable asset to the 43rd Wing and the U.S. Air Force. Staff Sgt. Samihah Prude 43rd Maintenance Squadron unit training manager Sergeant Prude directs training efforts for 421 personnel in eight enlisted specialties supporting C-130E aircraft; implements training programs to ensure personnel are combat ready; provides weekly and monthly training updates to flight chiefs and commanders to ensure critical training needs are met; monitors progress of trainees, identifies problem areas, determines causes, and prescribes corrective actions to unit commanders and supervisors; schedules more than 150 monthly ancillary training events and coordinates with the unit deployment managers to ensure optimum personnel availability for mission taskings and performs a host of other duties. Sergeant Prude joined the Air Force for educational opportunities. She said her next goal is to earn her Bachelor's of Arts degree in emergency management. She also wants to eventually become a chief master sergeant. "Sergeant Prude is a high-flyer," said Master Sgt. Desiree Strong, 43rd MOS. "She is the essence of how I would describe the model NCO. Her characteristics encompass enthusiasm, perseverance and hard work. She is constantly searched out within the organization for her expertise and reputation of getting things done. I am fortunate and proud to have such a deserving NCO on my team."