LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Master Sgt. Debra Johnson, 47th Logistics Readiness Flight material management and traffic management contracting officer representative, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer” of the week, for the week of Jan. 14, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Lee Gentile, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
Johnson, a dual-role COR, ensures daily compliance and management of Laughlin’s transportation program. One role she fulfills is ensuring the safe and timely transportation of Laughlin’s cargo and packages—anything from aircraft parts and jet engines to individual unit shipments.
“Our transportation manager, Mr. Salazar, retired which created a vacancy in the slot,” said David Farrell, 47th Logistics Readiness Flight logistics manager. “Sergeant Johnson voluntarily stepped up and took on the role and was willing to learn everything she needed to know in order to make sure the mission wasn’t hindered in any way.”
The other hat Johnson wears is the one of TMO—responsible for coordinating the shipment of household goods from inbound and departing Airmen on Laughlin. She ensured compliance for more than 500 cargo and engine shipments, and approximately 50 household goods shipments.
“Her duties affect a ton of people on the base, and she has a big hand in on how shipments are made here,” he said. “Her experiences help her communicate with contractors and customers she’s in contact with, and she’s also not scared to get her hands dirty or ask the hard questions in order to accomplish the mission—she’s full throttle.”
Johnson also chairs the sub-committee responsible for the 47 FTW’s Annual Awards Banquet. Her contributions involved organizing the program and the overall script for the banquet, which helps to ensure the event properly honors the more than 60 nominees.
“It’s important to recognize all Airmen with a capital ‘A’ who contribute to the mission and do their best every day—they’re the ones that inspire others,” he said. “She wants to keep others inspired to do their best as well and put in front those who do the mission and the job. They keep the Air Force going and make the mission happen.”
For stepping up and taking on additional roles in her workplace, helping manage Laughlin’s inbound and outbound shipments and being a chair on the 2018 awards banquet committee, Johnson earned the ‘XLer of the Week.’