DOD recognizes 509er

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  A Team Whiteman member was recently recognized as the best logistician in the Department of Defense.

Capt. Adam Minnich, 509th Logistic Readiness Squadron, received the 2007 Defense Logistics "Beyond The Call of Duty: Logistician of the Year" award at an awards banquet in Washington, D.C., Nov. 27.

The Department of Defense level award was presented to Captain Minnich by Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, United States Transportation Command commander, and retired Vice Adm. Edward M. Straw, former Defense Logistics Agency Director.

During his recent deployment to Afghanistan, Captain Minnich managed a budget in excess of $100 million that purchased all clothing, equipment and vehicles for the Afghan National Police force.

He also implemented a $30 million fuel contract that established fuel storage and distribution points for over 13,000 vehicles in all 34 provinces in Afghanistan.

Finally, he forward deployed to a remote location approximately 75 miles from the Iranian border to help build a national police training center and border police checkpoints to help secure the porous border between Afghanistan and Iran.

"I believe these efforts helped to pave the way for a more capable national police force, thereby improving the security and stability of Afghanistan," Captain Minnich said. "It also demonstrates to the people of Afghanistan that the U.S. is committed to rebuilding their country and helping to secure the freedom that they've always yearned for."

The captain realizes the accomplishments for which he was recognized were a result of team effort.

"I was blessed to have a great team of joint logisticians from the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, civilian contractors, and the Romanian Army," Captain Minnich said. "Without their support and dedication, none of this would've been possible."