Making Them Feel Welcome

The US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., has established an annual logistics award designed to inspire those midshipmen desiring a career in Air Force logistics. The award, which recognizes outstanding USMMA graduates, is named after Lt. Col. Heather Buono, who led the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron from September 2004 to March 2005. She provided leadership to the first Air Force detachments that conducted convoy escort missions out of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, at a time when such convoy operations were still exceedingly dangerous. Currently executive officer to USAF’s installations czar, Buono said she is “greatly humbled and honored” to have the award carry her name in recognition of the squadron’s accomplishments. “The Air Force, and particularly the logistics career field, will benefit from the diversity of experience and background of a graduated merchant mariner,” said she. (USAF report by TSgt. Amaani Lyle)