Last week we noted honorees in API’s excellence in fuels management program for the Navy. Today – the Marines. Below you’ll see units and individuals recognized for outstanding performances during 2011. Our country is safer and stronger because of the men and women serving in the armed forces – and our industry is proud to provide the reliable fuels that keep them on guard for the rest of us.

U.S. Marine Corps Tactical Unit of the Year – 1st Bulk Fuel Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif. Following training in the U.S., the unit was deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, where it served out of 12 separate combat outposts, forward operating bases and a joint operating base. The unit planned, coordinated, executed and managed numerous fuel missions. Runner-up:  Bulk Fuel Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

U.S. Marine Corps Non-Tactical Unit of the Year – Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. The largest and busiest Marine air station on the East Coast, the facility worked through manpower shortages to deliver quality, on-time, fueling support of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing and visiting military and civilian aircraft. Runner-up: Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.

U.S. Marine Corps Fuel Officer of the Year – Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason L. Alderman, Airfield Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, MCAS New River, Jacksonville, N.C. Alderman is credited with leading the work that provided aviation ground support to units in Afghanistan. As fuels officer he managed distribution of 12 million gallons of fuel to 27,000 aircraft. Runner-up: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Richard L. Cordes, Bulk Fuel Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

U.S. Marine Corps Fuel Staff Noncommissioned Officer of the Year – Gunnery Sergeant Keith E. Dillon, Fuel Operations Chief, Airfield Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Okinawa, Japan. Dillon was cited for leadership during disaster relief Operation Tomadachi, including deployment to the country’s northeast coast under blizzard conditions. There, Dillon set up a fuel system that aided aircraft and vehicles providing humanitarian aid. Runner-up: Gunnery Sergeant Jamie E. Webster, Fuels Chief, Airfield Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, MCAS New River, Jacksonville, N.C.

U.S. Marine Corps Noncommissioned Officer of the Year – Sergeant Kelly A. Brown, Assistant Maintenance Chief, Bulk Fuel Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif. During s unit deployment to Afghanistan, Brown was responsible for more than 325 pieces of equipment, which were kept at 98 percent maintenance readiness. Brown also was the site noncommissioned officer in charge of a 300,000-gallon fuel site that supported the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. Runner-up: Sergeant Michael W. Loggins, Fuel Farm NCOIC, Bulk Fuel Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2d Marine Logistics Group, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

U.S. Marine Corps Fuel Civilian of the Year – Kevin Bickle, Fuel Distribution System Work Leader, Station Fuel, Supply Department, MCAS Beaufort, S.C. Bickle is cited for performance maintaining the air station’s fuel facility and barge operations, for developing an enthusiastic, cooperative and proficient team.