Transporters receive traffic management awards.

The Korean commander of the Republic of Korea' Port Operations Group was among seven winners of Excellence in Traffic Management Awards presented by the 599th Transportation Group.

Col. Lee, Kye Sung, commander of the Pusan-based group achieved a second distinction. Lee is the first person from a foreign military service recognized with the award.

The Republic of Korea commander was recognized for his significant contributions and support for numerous U.S. military missions and exercises conducted in Korea in the last 17 years, said Col. Tom Harvey, 599th commander.

Harvey speaks from first-hand experience about Lee's contribution. Harvey formerly served as commander of the 837th Transportation Battalion, Pusan, Korea.

Lee's award was one of seven presented Oct. 22 at the 599th Transportation Group's Multi-Modal Traffic Management Conference, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

"As you all know, the bedrock of any successful organization is its people," said Harvey. "Today we have the best Defense Transportation System in the world.

"No other country tan deploy forces or sustain operations on par with the United States."

All the award recipients have made "significant contributions to supporting out war fighters," said Harvey.

"The best leaders will promote constant improvement, proactive management, and elimination of barriers," said Harvey.

The other six recipients include:

* Tech. Sgt. Tyrone Hunter, of Pacific Air Force's Transportation Cell, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Recognized for coordination of high-priority movements with Department of Defense agencies, ensuring 100 percent in-transit visibility of cargo movements throughout Pacific Air Force's area of responsibility.

* Staff Sgt. James Pritchard, of U.S. Army Garrison, Camp Casey, Korea. Cited for implementing numerous process improvements, including an automated customer scheduling system and reporting system for unaccompanied baggage and household goods shipments.

* Tech. Sgt. Chae Yu Sung, of 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan. Honored for his technical skills and knowledge of personal property programs. Sung's actions directly contributed to the successful flight of 452 sorties to the Pacific Theater operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

* Glenn Capistrant, of Defense Commissary Agency-Western Pacific Region, Okinawa, Japan. Acknowledged for achieving zero container detention charges for seven years for his agency--Okinawa's largest container recipient. Planned a successful effort to avoid a potentially huge backlog of containers arriving at once during the West Coast Longshoremen Lockout.

* Masao Oshiro, of U.S. Navy's Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Recognized for exceptional work in transportation logistics that were critical to the successful transit of numerous Navy Carrier Battle and Amphibious Readiness Groups in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

* Joe Rios, of Matson Navigation, Guam. Cited for his 17 years of superior service in support of all military surface distribution and shipping requirements throughout Guam and the Mariana Islands. Additionally, Rios ensured that all containers loaded with crucial supplies were expedited to Guam during the aftermath of Super Typhoon Pongsona.

Award recipients agreed that teamwork was key to successfully achieving their goals.

Learning of the achievement, Rios said he had great pride in his team's efforts.

"I thought about--all the hard work my team had accomplished to ensure that out No. 1 customer was taken care of--especially for the mission critical exercises," said Rios. "It was a significant accomplishment for me personally to be recognized as being involved with supporting our troops."