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FAPAC awards Kunsan leader 2019 Uniformed Services Award

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Francis A. Quiambao, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight superintendent, poses next to a fuel truck on Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 24, 2019. Quiambao is responsible for leading the largest petroleum hub in the United States Forces Korea in receiving and distributing fuel, which accounts for 35 percent of the fuel consumed in the theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Francis A. Quiambao, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight superintendent, poses next to a fuel truck on Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 24, 2019. Quiambao is responsible for leading the largest petroleum hub in the United States Forces Korea in receiving and distributing fuel, which accounts for 35 percent of the fuel consumed in the theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Savannah L. Waters)

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

The Federal Asian Pacific American Council has awarded Senior Master Sgt. Francis Quiambao, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight superintendent, the 2019 FAPAC Uniformed Services Award.

Quiambao will attend the FAPAC Uniformed Services Award Luncheon, on May 16, 2019, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to receive this prestigious award for his outstanding efforts in promoting diversity and exceptional leadership in advancing the mission of his service to serve the public.

The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing the civilian and military Asian Pacific American (APA) employees in the federal and District of Columbia governments. It promotes equal opportunity and cultural diversity for APAs within the Federal and District of Columbia governments, and encourages the participation and advancement of APAs in the government work force.

Quiambao is responsible for leading the largest petroleum hub in the United States Forces Korea in receiving and distributing fuel, which accounts for 35 percent of the fuel consumed in the theater. As superintendent of the fuels management flight at Kunsan, Quiambao leads a diverse group of 46 active-duty Air Force members and eight Korean civilian employees who work to support the U.S. mission in Korea.

Quiambao is currently overseeing the Republic of Korea Air Force’s first hot-refueling capability through a type-4 fuel hydrant system. This monumental first in refueling capability is unprecedented at Kunsan and the entire Korean Peninsula. The cross flow of communication initiated by Quiambao spurred real world opportunities for USAF and ROKAF to share equipment and aircraft refueling concepts to better support the national defense strategy, substantively multiplying the combined combat power of USAF and ROKAF forces.

“The hot-refueling by a hydrant system enables us to quick-turn the jets, and this project has us working with our ROKAF counterparts often,” Quiambao said. “We have Airmen in my shop who’ve never left the U.S., and working with the ROKAF exposes them to a different culture and way of working together, learning from them as they learn from us. It’s a unique experience.”

Quiambao takes great pride in what he does for the USAF, and is the first in his family to be in the military.

“I was born in the Philippines and grew up in Guam before I moved to the U.S. and joined the Air Force,” Quiambao said. “The military has always been my dream since I was a kid, and I’m living [that dream] now. I have sons and it feels good knowing that what I’m doing is not only for the USAF, but for them.”

Outside of his day-to-day duties, Quiambao also actively participates in various community activities, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the Filipino basketball league here, acting as an ambassador between the uniformed service and community through his various interactions. He has also created opportunities for his Airmen and Korean civilian counterparts to experience culturally significant sites and gain a better understanding of their host nation through hiking trips.

Fostering an innovative and harmonious environment between the Uniformed Services and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, Quiambao supports the full integration and promotion of all Uniformed Services personnel, including the civilian workforce.

Quiambao is looking forward to more opportunities and experiences at his next duty station in June at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

The Uniformed Services Awards recognize and honor members of the armed forces, Public Health Service commissioned corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commission corps, and Quiambao is honored to have received the award and recognition for the work that’s been done.

“This award is not just for me, but for everyone’s hard work here,” Quiambao said. “These guys come in and work hard to make this place better, and that’s all I can ask for.”

Congratulations Senior Master Sgt. Quiambao!