448th CSW receives 2006 Defense Packaging Excellence Award Published June 5, 2007 By By Robert J. Farrell 557th Combat Sustainment Squadron Tinker Air Force Base -- The 2006 Defense Packaging Excellence Award was recently awarded to the Packaging Management Section in the 948th Combat Sustainment Group, 448th Combat Sustainment Wing. The award was presented by the Defense Packaging Policy Group, which is a Department of Defense forum established to develop and recommend changes to policy, guidance and standardization of packaging throughout Military Services and the Defense Logistics Agency. The justification for the award stated: "The Packaging Management Office at Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker Air Force Base, has shown leadership in the areas of cost reduction, excellent customer support and new process implementation. Their efforts in container reclamation saved the government over $100,000 in cost avoidance. Their innovative packaging and handling solutions have reduced or eliminated damage to mission critical assets. A newly implemented inspection program has entirely eliminated shipping damage on targeted assets." The justification goes on to state: "This outstanding customer support is also modeled by the quick processing of purchase requests, packaging deviation requests and providing timely and accurate packaging guidance to customers. By maintaining working and training relationships with the maintenance and logistics communities, the Packaging team increased awareness for the importance of military packaging in protecting and preserving Air Force assets." The trophy to commemorate this award was presented to Joaquin Patlan, section chief of the Packaging Management Section on April 18 at the Pentagon in Washington, D. C. The 448th CSW was also presented with a trophy for involvement and promotion of packaging awareness. The accompanying trophy was presented to John Over, 448th CSW director. In addition to the award and trophy, the National Institute of Packaging Handling and Logistics Engineers honored each member of the Packaging Management Team with a one-year certificate of membership. In addition to the group recognition, the DPPG selected Howard Holinsworth of the Packaging Management Section for the Individual Packaging Achievement Award. Mr. Over presented a coin from the DPPG to Mr. Holinsworth for exceptional performance of his duties as a woodworker and prototype developer in which he plays a critical role in designing innovative packaging for maximum asset protection.