2d LRS moves Barksdale

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The 2d Logistics Readiness Squadron depends on a group of Airmen within their unit for vehicle support across the base. 

Vehicle operators support more than 13 types of vehicles including: aircrew buses, sedans, seven-to-15-passenger-vans, 1/4 ton and 3/4 ton trucks, six-passenger-trucks, panel vans, multi-stops, tractors, trailers, buses and a U-Drive-It fleet as well as the maintenance of the $46 million vehicle fleet. 

Vehicle operators are responsible for movement of personnel and their household goods as well as shipment of all cargo. They are also responsible for all Barksdale deployment functions including cargo, mobility and resource augmentation duty team training. 

Among other responsibilities, vehicle operators also load all cargo and passengers during deployments and contingency operations, vehicle operators are also responsible for the scheduled airline ticket office and for issuing government driver's licenses. 

"My favorite part is the broad range of jobs we actually do," said Senior Airman Bret Browne, vehicle operator. "I could be delivering parts to base shops in support of the flying mission, transporting distinguished visitors on a base tour, or deploying to the area of responsibility where we are engaged in convoy operations with the United States Army as part of the 424th medium truck detachment or the 70th medium truck detachment." 

There are currently 62 Airmen in the vehicle operations career field stationed at Barksdale. When deployed vehicle operators work with the United States Army operating convoys in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. 

"As of right now my deployed comrades of vehicle operations are navigating the roads of Iraq and Afghanistan," said Airman Browne. "They're transporting much needed supplies to forward observation bases in support of the war on terror, no matter what obstacles they face. By assisting the Army in this mission, that is normally given to Soldiers, we were given this task and have excelled earning the respect of the Soldiers as well as bringing great credit to the Air Force. I assure you any Soldier that has driven with combat Airmen from my career field, the term "chair force" is far from the truth. We have paid for that respect with blood and sweat, some even from our ranks giving the ultimate price. This is what I am most proud of." 

Still, while at home station, Airmen continue to provide efficient and effective transportation whether it is for personnel or cargo. 

"We perform tasks related to most of the vehicles on base, including dispatching and operating the vehicles," said Staff Sgt. Lamar McWilliams, vehicle operations dispatcher. "As well as distributing vehicle licenses and vehicle training, we pretty much move the Air Force." 

Without dispatch, individuals wouldn't be able to get forklifts, tractor trailers or any other vehicles they need to get the mission done. 

"In dispatch, I make sure individuals have either the vehicle or the support they need in order to complete the mission," said Sergeant McWilliams. "If you need a truck or a van to move passengers from point A to point B, you put in a request for a U-Drive-It and if it's available you'll get it. If you have some heavy equipment that you need moved, I'll send out either a forklift, or a tractor trailer, or both and get the job done. We're also responsible for giving transportation to all the pilots to and from their planes." 

The squadron manages all supply, equipment and fuels requisitions, supply programs, policies, procedures and stock fund support for the 2d Bomb Wing. 

Although vehicle operations stays busy with the amount of responsibility they have, their hard work doesn't go unnoticed. 

"My favorite part is interacting with the important distinguished visitors that come through Barksdale," said Sergeant McWilliams. "We drive them where they need to go, we are some of the first people they actually meet when they arrive, and that is a big responsibility." 

To get to the point where the Airmen can handle such responsibility, they went through weeks of training. 

The six-week technical school for vehicle operators is in Fort Lenard Wood, Mo. Specific qualifications for vehicle operators consist of the ability of operating vehicles as well as customer service, and having depth perception is absolutely necessary. 

Vehicle operations supports the 2d BW mission whether it's moving parts for aircraft or getting the aircrews out to the bomber. "The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that we play a huge part in the mission here at Barksdale," said Sergeant McWilliams. "Without us nothing moves."