USMMA and the AF

theycallmeFerrari

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I thought everyone might find this an interesting read:

Air Force officer becomes namesake for prestigious award


by Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs


1/8/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy recently named an award after an Air Force officer who commanded the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and provided leadership for the first Air Force detachments conducting convoy escort missions at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

Established in 2009, the Lt. Col. Heather Buono Logistics Award recognizes outstanding graduates who complete the four-year academic commissioning source program at the Kings Point, N.Y.-based USMMA, the only academy focused on both commerce and military service.

"I am greatly humbled and honored to have an award carry my name in recognition of the accomplishments of the squadron I led in Iraq," Colonel Buono said. "The Airmen of that squadron, predominantly logisticians, used a broad range of skills to safely convoy needed supplies throughout Iraq when many of the areas were still very dangerous."

Colonel Buono is currently the executive officer for the assistant secretary for installations, environment and logistics. During her deployment from September 2004 to March 2005, Colonel Buono led the squadron that provided combat support of more than 600 Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airmen embedded at four operational locations in the Iraqi theater of operations.

With nearly 20 years of military service, Colonel Buono said she initially attended the academy's logistics course and met with an Air Force liaison there while working for Kevin Billings, former acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics. Mr. Billings later worked with Gen. Duncan McNabb, U.S. Transportation Command commander, and USMMA officials to develop the award as an inspiration for USMMA midshipmen desiring a career in Air Force logistics.

Academy graduates receive a bachelor of science degree, a license as a merchant marine officer, issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, and an appointment as a commissioned officer in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Merchant Marine Reserve of the U.S. Navy.

Merchant marines significantly support the nation's economic and security needs, since the U.S. currently imports approximately 85 percent of some 77 strategic commodities vital to America's industry and defense.

Accounting for only six percent of the world population, the U.S. purchases nearly a third of the world's output of raw materials. Ninety-nine percent of these materials are transported by merchant vessels.

Colonel Buono shared what she hopes will be the USMMA's legacy.

"I hope graduates from the Merchant Marine Academy become future leaders in the Air Force," she said. "The Air Force, and particularly the logistics career field, will benefit from the diversity of experience and background of a graduated merchant mariner."

The award will be presented at the annual awards ceremony during graduation June 21.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123184698
 
Let's hear it for USMMA Logistics! (Who said it was boring . . . ? A pox on them!)
 
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