McChord earns AMC distinguished Nuclear Surety Safety Award

By 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs on March 11, 2011




The 62nd Airlift Wing Nuclear Surety Office recently earned the 2010 Air Mobility Command distinguished Nuclear Surety Safety Award. 

"Our mission is very unique, it's different from every other base," said Mr. Tom Thompson, 62nd AW nuclear surety manager and AMC Nuclear Surety Individual of the Year. "Our office is responsible for managing the wing's nuclear surety program." 

The office has won the award every year from 1998 to 2010, with the exception of 2003. The 62nd AW is the Department of Defense's only Prime Nuclear Airlift Force unit. 

"We also monitor the thorough checklists that military members have to follow in order to be cleared for the Personnel Reliability Program," said Mr. Thompson.

Last year, the office ensured the safe delivery of more than 320 thousand pounds, which is more than the weight of 17 average-sized school buses, of nuclear and nuclear-related cargo worldwide. The accomplishment included expertly dealing with six diverse foreign agencies and three United States Government organizations on 12 missions and 19 trainers. 

The 62nd AW also earned the highest possible rating during the most recent Nuclear Surety Inspection in three of six major graded areas, plus 2 "excellent" ratings on AMC's inspection. Wing leadership was highlighted for "unwavering mission focus" on the nuclear surety and PNAF missions. 

During the June 2010 NSI, Col. Thomas Freese, AMC deputy inspector general and NSI team chief, told the 62nd AW team, "Nobody does what you do. There is no room for error when talking about the nuclear enterprise. Thank you for what you do. You did a phenomenal job."

The Air Force Safety Center Functional Expert Visit team declared that "strong leadership, mission focus, a high degree of proficiency and outstanding professionalism are evident throughout the organization" during their recent 62nd AW visit. 

According to Mr. Thompson, the accomplishments cannot be credited to the nuclear surety office alone. He says that without the support of other agencies on base, the mission would not succeed. 

"We work closely with personnel, the medical squadron, the 4th Airlift Squadron and more to ensure the Personnel Reliability Program is managed correctly," said Mr. Thompson. "Everyone works together to ensure the mission is completed."