LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Senior Airman Chansol Kim, 47th Medical Support Squadron commander support staff, was chosen by wing leadership to be the “XLer” of the week, for the week of March 18, 2019, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The “XLer” award, presented by Col. Todd Dyer, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander, is given to those who consistently make outstanding contributions to their unit and the Laughlin mission.
Facing a near two-thirds manning shortage, Kim took on the chief’s role in his office, which helped ensure steady operation of his shop and the 47th Medical Group.
“It just coincidentally happened where two of the NCOs who were in our Commander’s Support Staff both separated at the same time,” said Tech. Sgt. Michele Lazurka, the flight chief of resource management at the 47th Medical Group. “So Senior Airman Kim was next in line and the most knowledgeable with the work. He really just kind of fell into that spot, and he does very well.”
He also managed more than 150 Defense Travel System personnel records and facilitated the training for three additional DTS subject matter experts. His work helped ensure all patient travel requirements were met for those seeking care outside Laughlin’s clinic.
“In resource management, we are the reviewers and approvers, Airman Kim in the CSS is the Organizational Defense Travel Administrator,” Lazurka said. “When people in-process, or when people have updated user information he facilitates making sure that their profiles are valid and can be used for their travel, so while he doesn't necessarily approve their travel he makes sure that they are able to travel.”
In addition to tracking DTS and the chief’s position in his office, he also assisted with the 47 MDG’s record’s manager to keep records of over fourteen flights. He helped resolve two inspection discrepancies, and put his office back on track for compliance.
For his work in filling gaps in manning and taking on the roles of defense travel administrator and his group’s record manager, Senior Airman Chansol Kim has earned this week’s “XLer of the Week.”