445th MXS maintainers earn Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez award

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  • By 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Three individuals from the 445th Maintenance Squadron have been awarded the Air Force Reserve Command 2014 Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award for the category of Aircraft Maintenance. The announcement was made Jan. 28, 2015.

Maj. Randolph Gantt, maintenance operations officer, was selected for the category Field Grade Manager, Mr. Randall Anderson, aerospace ground equipment craftsman who also serves as an Air Force Reserve Technician master sergeant, was selected for Civilian Technician, and Staff Sgt. Thao Phan, aircraft fuel systems journeyman, was selected for Technician.

The Lieutenant General Leo Marquez Award honors Air Force members, both military and civilian, who excel in technological maintenance. The individual's job performance, application of knowledge on the job site, and workplace efficiency are all considered.

Gantt enabled more than 2,300 hours, 500 sorties, 2,600 passengers and 16,000 tons of cargo in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. He organized the maintenance group training for more than 300 Airmen, insuring his unit's ancillary training currency continues to be at its highest level. Gantt pushed upgrade training of new Airmen, enhancing mission capability. He pushed 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to execute an aggressive flying schedule while 2-3 jets were undergoing maintenance as part of the Global Reach Improvement Program.
The major was part of AMXS achieving a 94 percent maintenance effectiveness rate. Gantt is chairman of the 445th Airlift Wing diversity-volunteer council, coordinating all wing volunteer events.

Anderson is key in leading his aerospace ground equipment team to the wing flying more than 4,500 hours, supporting 131 missions and delivering more than 19 million pounds of cargo plus flying more than 15,000 passengers while 1/3 of the fleet was at depot. He managed his flight's equipment account of more than 200 assets valued at more than $9 million. He directed his flight's corrosion control program; ensuring more than 300 pieces of AGE were scheduled and received maintenance, an effort saving the government more than $250,000. Anderson supported the "Catch a Special Thrill" for Kids program, providing fishing and boating opportunities for more than 75 disabled and disadvantaged children.

Phan's technical skills were key to the wing supporting more than 131 missions, flying 4,500 hours, 15,000 passengers and delivering more than 19.3 million tons of cargo with 1/3 of the fleet at depot. He volunteered for a three-day temporary duty to Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, fixing two aircraft with both returning to fully mission capable status. Phan revamped his shop's HAZMAT turn-in process, resulting in zero defects noted during a base safety staff assistance visit. Phan volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, helping build houses for low income families.  He volunteered with the Wright-Patt Airmen Against Drunk Driving program, helping his fellow Airmen stay out of a dangerous situation.

The award was named for retired Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Engineering, whose 33-years of dedication to the maintenance and logistics career field revolutionized the way they do business.