445 AW Logistics Readiness Squadron: making it happen

  • Published
  • By Capt. John T. Stamm
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The term "logistics" is considered to have originated with the military's need to resupply themselves as they moved from location to location. Military officers in ancient Greece and Rome who were responsible for such matters held the title "Logistikas."

Here at the 445th Airlift Wing, the Logistics Readiness Squadron is responsible for supplying the unit with many of the goods and services we utilize everyday in our mission.

The LRS has 106 assigned personnel and provides such services as the supply of military uniforms and chemical warfare gear, fuel management for unit vehicles and aircraft, vehicle maintenance and operations and the packing and movement of goods and equipment through the transportation management office.

One of the functions of the LRS is to schedule the movement of personnel and equipment.

"We make sure that troops get to their destination and have the supplies and tools they need to survive and operate in that location," said Senior Master Sgt. Rebecca Spencer, LRS operations support. "We coordinate those activities here, but may actually perform them in a deployed environment."

The LRS is also a one-stop shop for deployments.

"We handle everything from unit mobilizations to volunteer deployments," said Master Sgt. Nicholas Reed, LRS logistics plans superintendent. "If a member of the wing wants to volunteer they come to us and fill out a worksheet. We obtain all the required approval signatures and then actively look to find an opportunity for them."

The LRS has four members on the 445th's Operational Readiness Inspection planning team, which is coordinating training for the wing's upcoming ORI in January. Two of these members, Master Sgt. Jeffery Spires and Master Sgt. Kerrie Yeager, have been assisting this preparation by authoring a series of articles which appear in the wing newsletter the Buckeye Flyer. Spires and Yeager address topics and issues of concern to troops who have little to no experience with an ORI.

"We realized that we needed to get the word out to Airmen about what to expect and how to get ready for an ORI," Spires said. "The first article was a basic overview of what an ORI is, and the others are geared to more specific ORI information such as how to get your mind and body right for the inspection."

For squadron superintendent Chief Master Sgt. Shirley Ozio, the LRS is the behind-the-scenes troops who keep the unit running smoothly.

"When a bus shows up to transport personnel, few think about who made sure that bus was there," Ozio said. "That would be logistics."