**Master Sergeant Kirk M. Koehler**

**Fleet Manager of the Year (Large Fleets)**

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="2.8270833333333334in"
height="4.25in"}Master Sergeant Kirk Koehler was the Command Vehicle
Fleet Manager for Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Randolph
Air Force Base, Texas. He was also charged with procurement and
authorization oversight of the Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS)
vehicles. His overall responsibility spanned 12,325 vehicles valued at
over \$600 Mil, dispersed throughout 863 locations. His combined
responsibilities put him in charge of one of the largest fleets in the
Air Force, and his flawless asset management ensured 23 AETC
organizations have safe and reliable ground transportation that meet
mission requirements. His foresight and vision were responsible for the
most efficient and effective fleet in AETC and AFRS history.

Sergeant Koehler managed to ingeniously modify, modernize, and reduce
fleet dynamics through such variables as alternative fueled vehicles,
low speed vehicles, special fuels technology and mandatory use of
specific fuel-efficient tire tread design. His strict adherence to
vehicle classification has enabled the AETC to reduce vehicle fossil
fuel consumption by 32%, while simultaneously ensuring precious
resources and equipment are available to train Air Force war fighters.

Sergeant Koehler was responsible for 13 vehicle accounts located
throughout southeast Iraq. He initiated and managed the \$51K Basra Air
Base vehicle lease program. His quick action and coordination with 10
multi-national, multi-service agencies provided time sensitive tailored
transportation for incoming transition teams. His tireless efforts
played a key role in rebuilding Iraq's armed forces and infrastructure.
After enduring

numerous mortar and rocket attacks, Sergeant Koehler devised a new
vehicle yard access and dispersion plan that expedited personnel
accountability by 10 minutes, and is credited with a Security Forces
lauded, zero security breach record**.** He also engineered a tracking
program for Tactical Air Control Party vehicles throughout the area of
responsibility. His program template was quickly adopted Central Air
Force Command for all ground based Low-Density, High-Demand assets. He
was personally recognized by the Air Force Office of Special
Investigations for his contributions, and successful execution of
classified counter insurgency operations around Ali Air Base, Iraq.

Master Sergeant Koehler is the sole architect for the new Air Force
manpower standard for the recently Vehicle Management & Analysis (VM&A)
career field. His meticulous audit of duties and responsibilities
captured and quantified all task aspects required of a VM&A technician.
He later developed a curriculum and led a 16-hour training session for
those affected by the merger, ensuring a seamless transition. He
researched and coordinated use of the first ever crane-truck for the
Department of Defense air drop training at Kirtland Air Force Base, New
Mexico. This simple, yet brilliant vehicle replacement eliminated need
for three of the four air drop reconstitution vehicles and replaced them
with one all terrain multi-functional asset, saving over \$120 million
dollars in vehicle, transportation and maintenance costs over the next
ten years.

**Dave Rice**

**Fleet Manager of the Year (Small Fleets)**

As the Base Support Vehicle & Equipment (BSVE) Branch Manager, Dave Rice
superbly led 62 personnel working in management, operational services,
and maintenance functions at the Naval Station in Sigonella, Italy.
Transportation equipment under his effective management includes Civil
Engineer Support Equipment (CESE). Material Handling Equipment (MHE),
tactical equipment, special purpose equipment, category I through IV
Weight Handling Equipment (WHE) and plant and minor property. Financial
resources under his expert purview include \$10.9 MIL (CESE fleet
capital cost), \$2.5 MIL (civilian and military annual labor cost), and
\$1.6 Mil (annual material, parts, fuel, and vehicle lease costs).

![](media/image2.png){width="2.05in" height="2.8333333333333335in"}

Dave Rice was a dedicated and knowledgeable (BSVE) Branch Manager, led
by personnel example, aggressively met goals and freely shared his
expertise with others. He encouraged subordinate ownership through
empowerment and positive recognition reflected in the sustained 90
percent equipment availability, client satisfaction, and numerous
personal awards for his subordinates. He communicated clearly and
intelligently with customers at all levels, putting them at ease with
their concerns. He was a team member and worked collaboratively with
other European Theatre Transportation professionals exchanging relevant
information to management of transportation.

Mr. Rice's leadership responsibilities included effectively supervising
two local national supervisors, one local national licenser and
operations assistant and three military supervisory positions. As the
BSVE Branch Manager he was responsible for a total of 29 local nationals
and 33 military personnel. He was a dynamic key player in developing the
department's strategic plan, he effectively communicated the division's
strategic vision to the deck plates to ensure employee understanding and
support for the department's long term goals.

Mr. Rice's managerial responsibilities included formulating operating
budgets, determining staffing levels to meet production requirements
within financial constraints. He managed the GSA Lease Program,
executing certifying official responsibilities for the station's WHE and
Explosive Ordnance Material Handling Certification Program, the
government VISA card program and the acquisition program for repair
parts. He ensured that Crash Fire and Rescue equipment, aircraft
refuelers, and runway maintenance equipment were effectively serviced to
maintain operational airfield category and that Weapon's Department's
vehicles and the station's cranes were maintained at a level that
afforded immediate response to support all weapons movement evolutions.
He ensured that Public Works was able to provide requisite services to
transient commands/personnel including US Air Force and other Tenant
Commands with a combined population of over 2,600 military personnel.