Kirtland's LOA chapter garners national recognition

  • Published
  • By Bud Cordova
  • Nucleus writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  

National recognition has been given to the Kirtland Air Force Base Logistics Officer Association.

The Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Chapter of the National LOA received the Col. James L. Hass Small Chapter of the Year Award.

“It highlights Kirtland as a true beacon of logistics excellence,” said maintenance flight commander Capt. Ryan VanArtsdalen of the 898th Munitions Squadron.

He added the Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Chapter does great things to promote the logistics profession.

LOA is a forum to promote quality support and professional development for civilians and military officers in logistics.

“The Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Chapter represents the logistics officers and civilians from all wings and mission partners on Kirtland,” VanArtsdalen said.

The Small Chapter of the Year award recognizes work the chapter has done in areas such as leadership, mentorship, innovation and community service. The Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Chapter is active in community service, often through raising funds for scholarships for enlisted logistics Airmen.

The chapter also facilitates mentorship, which VanArtsdalen credits for his career advancements.

“My experience shows that deliberate mentorship works,” he said.

In 2009, he received one of the national scholarships from LOA. It encouraged him to commission as a logistics officer.

VanArtsdalen said the chapter’s success in mentorship at all levels has helped Airmen to network and develop professionally as logistics officers early on in their careers.

To be classified as a small chapter, the number of national members has to be between 10 and 20. The Kirtland chapter has 19 nationally registered members with over 60 other personnel who often participate.

“Membership is for professional acquisition, technology or logistics officers, or civilian equivalent (GS-9 or above),” VanArtsdalen said.

The Kirtland chapter used to be called Sandia, but changed its name to honor Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez.

VanArtsdalen said Marquez had a hand in creating the maintenance badge for Airmen’s uniforms. He added Marquez is credited for saving Kirtland during a past Base Realignment and Closure Commission process.

The Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez chapter also has a unique link to its namesake in the support of his family.

Marquez’s daughter, Patricia Knighten, is one of the chapter mentors. The entire family, including the general’s wife, Stella Marquez, continue to provide support and donations for the logistics profession.

Leo Marquez died Dec. 30, 2011. He was known as the “Grandfather of Air Force Maintenance.”

“We are fortunate that the Marquez family supports the chapter as part of their continued service to the logistics community,” VanArtsdalen said.

The award was presented in Washington, D.C., during the LOA National Symposium on Oct. 11-14. VanArtsdalen and Knighten attended on behalf of the local chapter.

Maj. Gen. Scott Jansson, commander of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and chapter member, also spoke at the symposium on the state of the nuclear enterprise.

For more information about the Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Chapter, go to facebook.com/kirtlandloa or email loamarquezchapter@gmail.com.