Fuels Senior NCO of Year calls Luke home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Hatch
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Master Sgt. Ryan Evans, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron bulk fuels NCO in charge, received the Air Force Fuels Senior NCO of the Year Award Thursday in a ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. 

Sergeant Evans received the Air Education and Training Command Senior NCO award in February, which qualified him to compete at Air Force level. 

"I do not know that I qualify for the award, but I'm lucky to receive the honor,"
Sergeant Evans said. 

Sergeant Evans is No. 1 of nine fuels senior NCOs in his squadron in 2006. He guided his flight to win the 2005 AETC Roy Bateman Award for the second year in a row. He also helped his team win the Air Force 2005 Petroleum, Oils and Lubricant
Award. 

In addition to these, as well as many other accomplishments, Sergeant Evans also runs the Air Force's largest truck only fuels operation, enabling the wing to complete 50,000 flying hours and 37,000 combat training missions. He also took on the task of removing and replacing 1,300 linear feet of liquid oxygen poly-jet sealant to prevent possible flash disaster on the flightline. The poly-jet sealant is used to seal the cracks in concrete areas where liquid oxygen is stored. 

He also volunteered for a year deployment  to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While in theater he provided force protection and fire training to 44 personnel, helping to safeguard 57 people and $5.5 million in Afghanistan National Army assets. He established classrooms for ANA personnel, delivered materials and created a setting to improve the education levels of the ANA troops. 

He identified and cordoned off 116 unexploded ordnances, and got explosive ordnance disposal personnel to the scene to safely dispose of the UXO, which prevented plausible catastrophe. 

Sergeant Evans doesn't appreciate attention, according Lt. Col. Michael Washington, 56th LRS commander. "He's a humble guy who is not in it for himself.  He deserves this award for many reasons, two of which are that he is a workhorse and has the respect of the people in his flight. He stepped up to take a 365-day deployment and Thursday he stepped up to receive the Fuels Senior NCO of the Year in Maryland.  In 2005, the 56th LRS POL Flight won the best of the Air Force award. Sergeant Evans was part of that team and contributed to its success. I am proud of him and glad to have him on the LRS team."