BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
"I am really just on an adventure," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Steele with the 940th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "It amazes me every time I participate in anything having to do with the Air Force. I come out here and for whatever reason, through the blessings of God and the people that I work with, I have been taken places that I never would've imagined."
Sergeant Steele received the Air Force 2009 Vehicle Operator of the Year Award for his 2008-2009 deployment to Iraq where his decisive actions moved convoys out of kill zones by utilizing counter IED measures. He also served as a convoy commander ensuring a zero mission degradation and was able to adjust to last minutes changes of 87 missions with no delays.
For Sergeant Steele, being part of the Air Force Reserve allows him the opportunity to give back to others.
"Every day you come out here and you do something, and it's something you would not have done if you were just a civilian," said Sergeant Steele. "It is part of our obligation and debt to encourage others to give back to their country."
Sergeant Steele's devotion to duty was passed down to his daughter Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Chan with the 940th Civil Engineer Squadron. She joined the Air Force Reserve right out of high school. She also attended Sacramento State and became a nurse.
"It was a plan(for my daughter) to join the service early on because I instilled in her that it's a debt she needed to pay back," he said. "She took the debt and she turned into something for herself. "
Sergeant Steele's inspirational leadership allowed his team to win the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Team of the Month in February 2009.
He's taken his experiences and leadership skills to mentor junior Airmen.
"We had these two kids right out of high school, in the 940th," said Sergeant Steele. "They'll tell you they're my sons. I went to Iraq because they were going. I wanted to be there with them, because I've been there before. I was blessed to be able to go and see them take what they've learned and use it out in the field."
This is not the first time a 940th LRS Airman has won the award. Last year, Staff Sgt. Forrest Purdy received the same honors.
"Vehicle operations is one of the busiest career fields in Air Force Reserve Command," said Capt. Brandon Stepp, 940th LRS commander. "There are vehicle operators making the mission happen all over the world. For our very own Sergeant Steele to be recognized as the best NCO among his peers is truly a noteworthy accomplishment. I am proud of his individual accomplishment, and I'm proud of the 940th LRS for receiving its second consecutive recognition at this level."