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Outstanding 315th civilian wins Air Force award

  • Published
  • By Michael Dukes
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Kenneth Ritsema, an aviation resource management assistant with the 315th Operation Support Squadron, earned the Outstanding Air Force Aviation Resource Manager of the Year Award in the civilian technician category for 2009.

"During this period, Mr. Ritsema performed phenomenally, ensuring mission readiness for over 450 aircrew members and tracking over 44,000 semiannual training accomplishments," stated his award citation, which was read aloud when Col. Steven Chapman, 315th Airlift Wing commander, presented him the award in Dec. 9, 2010 ceremony here.

Mr. Ritsema was also credited with developing a Ground Individual Training and Mission Operation Resource Management Report, which "proved to be an indispensable tool for commanders' use in forecasting training and determining combat readiness."

"The access database I manage tells them almost everything they need to know concerning their current status of training," Mr. Ritsema said while summarizing his efforts. But he's quick to acknowledge the team effort. "No one can succeed without the help of others."

According to the citation his contributions also "enabled base-wide standardization of Go/No-Go processes and ensured the success of both 437th and 315th Airlift Wings in their most recent Aircrew Standardization/Evaluation Visit."

"I am humbled but thankful to be recognized for the work I do," said Ritsema, who has worked in his current role as an Air Force civilian with the 315th since he retired from Air Force active duty in 2006.

"First I would like to thank God, for without him nothing I do would succeed," he said. "I would also like to thank my supervisor Lt. Col. Deborah Rieflin and my functional manager Senior Master Sgt. Arthur Murray for taking the time to work on the award package. No one can win an award until someone writes the story on paper. Finally I thank my wife for being so patient with me when I came home with headaches, she is a wonderful wife."

"Air Force level recognition of his excellence is most fitting and well-deserved. Charleston is very fortunate to have him on our team!" said Lt. Col. Rieflin, OSS chief of aircrew training. "Ken is the kind of employee every supervisor wishes for: a hard working, dedicated, self-starter, who requires little direct supervision and produces impeccable work."

"In his off-duty time he taught himself Visual Basic and Access. That's impressive," said Colonel Chapman during the award ceremony. "Thank you for all that you do. Your contributions are truly appreciated."

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