Officials name 3 Sabers AF 2007 Mission Support Award winners Published Dec. 10, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base showed they had what it takes to set themselves apart from their peers capturing three Air Force level 2007 Mission Support Awards Nov. 30. The winners from the 52nd MSS who captured awards in the personnel category were Lt. Col. Michael S. Pitts, who took the Outstanding Air Force Personnel Manager of the Year Award base level, Senior Manager title and Capt. Judy A. Sloan earned the Outstanding Air Force Personnel Manager of the Year Award unit level award. In the manpower and organizational category Tech. Sgt. Lindley D. Hummel seized the Installation Level, NCO title. "I am absolutely thrilled and honored that the 52nd Mission Support Squadron had three Air Force-level award winners," said Maj. Rick Gearhart, 52nd MSS commander. "Although these are individual awards, it was truly a team effort. A testament and validation of our efforts to take care of those we serve, both in garrison and downrange. As General Hobbins says, it's all about the team and I am proud to have such an outstanding group of Airmen." Sergeant Hummel currently manages the 52d Operations Group manpower authorizations, advising 52nd OG commanders and subordinate commanders on all manpower and organizational issues impacting the eight assigned squadrons. He also exercises management oversight actions for authorization change requests, organizational changes, standards application and management advisory studies. All of this is done in addition to his service as a focal point of civilian personnel management, position descriptions and capability based determinants in the creation of Air Force manpower standards and variances. During the period of this award package, Captain Sloan has filled many roles. The captain served as a 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron section commander prior to deploying leading the daily operations of the second largest commander's support staff supporting more than 580 personnel in 42 work centers and 25 different Air Force specialties. While deployed, she was the deputy Personnel Services Flight commander in the largest PERSCO team in the area of responsibility. Currently, the captain is acting as the section chief for the Military Personnel Flight customer service and career enhancements sections. The winners realize that they would not have made this achievement without their co-workers contributions. "This absolutely is a team achievement," Captain Sloan said. "Winning this award means that all the hard work and dedication from those who have worked with me and the education they have provided me has been recognized. If it weren't for the outstanding professionals who have worked with me both here at Spangdahlem and downrange, none of this would have been possible and by recognizing me they too are recognized. Nobody wins awards alone; this is a one team one fight mentality to the end. It has been a privilege to work with such outstanding professionals who never hesitated to provide assistance, guidance and mentoring." While Sergeant Hummel was able to accomplish many things while deployed that contributed to his award, he recognizes the extra effort that his co-workers at Spangdahlem had to put forth to continue accomplishing the mission. "Having the support of my co workers was instrumental in me winning this award," Sergeant Hummel said. "While I was deployed they had to pick up my work load at home station. They were very helpful while I was deployed helping my family which let me focus on my task down range. The manpower office here is the best I have worked with in my 18 year career and me winning this is a reflection on them as much as it is on me." The base manpower office, which Sergeant Hummel has been assigned to since August 2006, has been titled the best Small Manpower in U.S. Air Forces in Europe for the past four years and in 2005 the office won the same award at Air Force level. "Even though most of my peers have surpassed me in promotions, I wouldn't trade my current situation for a promotion," Sergeant Hummel said. "I've been working with some of the best people I will ever meet in my life and they make it all worth while."