MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Logistics Officer Association MacDill Lightning Chapter recently won the 2019 Col. Hass Small Chapter of the Year award during the 2019 National Logistics Officer Association Symposium Oct. 10 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Small Chapter of the Year award recognizes work the chapter has accomplished in areas such as leadership, mentorship, innovation and community service. The Lightning Chapter is active in community service, often through raising funds for scholarships for enlisted logistics Airmen.
“This national award highlights our chapter’s continual growth and pursuit of bettering our logistics community,” said Capt. Tyner Apt-Hill, chapter president assigned to the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron. “We could not have won this award without the outstanding support of our members, leadership and friends in the community.”
Additionally, Senior Airman Hilda Gonzalez, Lightning Chapter member assigned to the 6th LRS, received a $1,000 national scholarship award. The LOA scholarship program promotes education for junior enlisted, officers and civilians of the armed forces in the logistics and acquisition career fields.
“I am extremely grateful to the MacDill Lightning Chapter and the Logistics Officer Association for being presented with one of the national scholarships,” said Gonzalez. “This scholarship will greatly assist with my career educational goals to become a logistics professional in the future and most importantly, an inspiration for my son, Zai.”
In 2019, the Lightning Chapter conducted gatherings for briefings and mentoring with senior leaders; tours of local Tampa area logistics operations, such as Amazon Distribution, NASA, and Tampa Seaport; and provided flawless support to community and base activities.
“Throughout 2018 and 2019, our chapter was able to host 12 professional development events and 11 local tours, reaching over 165 joint logisticians,” said 2nd Lt. Matt Moskowitz, chapter vice president, assigned to the 6th LRS. “This award is a big deal because it embodies in the Logistics Officer Association hard work, effort and a sense of community.”
Ultimately, though, the success that led to the award can be attributed to both the hard work of the members and the support of base leadership in ensuring the organization has the support they need.
“Gone are the days of being just a maintenance or just a munitions or just a logistics readiness officer,” said Col. Wes Adams, 6th Maintenance Group commander and senior advisor to the Lighting Chapter members. “Today’s fight requires our officers to speak and execute logistics in an overall context and our training pipelines don’t necessarily afford that cross-flow or networking, so unit-level and base-level efforts bridge the gap. The Lightning Chapter is gaining incredible momentum and this award speaks to the chapter leadership’s dedication. I guarantee the Lightning Chapter will be a common thread in the success of our future logistics leaders.”
LOA is comprised of military officers and civilians in the logistics, acquisition and technology fields around the globe. Their mission is to inspire informed, connected and effective members by providing value-added professional development and education opportunities through strategic engagement with military leaders, defense industry and academia partners.
MacDill’s Lightning Chapter is open to Air Force officers and civil-service logisticians stationed at MacDill AFB or residing in the Tampa area. It allows them to interact, share their stories with one another in a face-to-face forum and participate in local events.
“The Lightning Chapter represents the logistics, maintenance, contracting, and acquisition officers and civilians from all wings and mission partners on MacDill,” Apt Hill said. “Membership is for professional acquisition, technology or logistics officers, or civilian equivalent (GS-9 or above).”
For more information about the Lightning Chapter, please contact Capt. Apt Hill at 828-1901 or at tyner.apt-hill@us.af.mil