445 Logistics Readiness Squadron - Dedicated, Ready and up to the challenges

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jose A. Cardenas
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  As the first week of the annual tour progressed at Ramstein Air Base, the excitement of being in Germany, experiencing a new culture, learning new things, and sharing experiences with their active duty counterparts, illustrated the opportunity that comes with serving as an Air Force Reservist.

More than 40 members of the 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron spent their annual tour in Germany June 5 - 19.

Lt. Col. Paul Neef, 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron, operations officer explained that the objective was to get some really good quality training. "We want to come here and get our hands dirty in all the areas of LRS --- to train our people, and to support the war time and peace time mission of the Air Force."

Tech Sgt. Christopher Suggs, 445 LRS/Vehicle Maintenance Squadron reflected on the experience. "This is an opportunity to show active duty that the reserves know what they are doing. We show active-duty Airmen respect for what they do, and we get respect in return not only for us as reservists but also for our operation. We get a sense of pride in helping them and sharing both our military and civilian experiences."

But getting across the pond to Europe takes lots of planning. Not only physically moving the Airmen to Germany, but also everything from billeting, transportation and coordination with work centers to get the mission accomplished.

It does take a tremendous amount of planning. There are many things you need to coordinate. It also entails building and fostering relationships. It's a lot easier to plan six months before you show up than it is two weeks prior. Planning is everything, said Master Sgt. David Hayes, 445 LRS first sergeant.

In addition to the training the LRS members received, Airmen from the Ramstein Air Base Logistics Readiness Squadron benefited with help in their workload, advice, insight and friendship from their reserve counterparts.

Senior Master Sgt. Rebecca Spencer 445 LRS/Supply reflected on the camaraderie. "Coming to Ramstein is a great experience for us to work directly with active duty on real world missions. We also bring our civilian experiences with a different take on things. We're able to come in, look at the operations and maybe improve things while we are here. And as Air Force Reservists, we're able to serve our country. It also gives the Airmen an opportunity to see the culture. It's a great opportunity for us."

The opportunity to serve our country, to learn new things, and to see the world are just some of the reasons people join the United States Air Force Reserves. It truly is a wonderful opportunity, an experience of a lifetime, and life-long friendships.

"This is great for the young airmen. Some have been here before and experience the culture but others have not been outside Ohio let alone the United States. It's a retention tool. It also shows Airmen this is the way the Air Force is. This is what we do. Seeing all the aircraft on the flight line making all that noise - this is what we support. This is the main hub for the war. It's the real deal and it's good for them to know it and help our guys get trained to do it well. We definitely do it well and it shows," concluded Colonel Neef.

"Being a reservist to me is the best way to serve. I think it also helps our Airmen understand the Air Force mission as a whole. It gives them a broader perspective of the footprint that the Air Force has all around the world, especially here in Germany," added Sergeant Hayes.