READY Team supports 2d Bomb Wing during real world missions and exercise scenarios

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittany Y. Bateman
  • 2d Bomb Wing
Barksdale Air Force Base, La --  

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.-- As Airmen from Barksdale prepare to deploy in support of contingencies across the globe, the Resource Augmentation Duty team briefs the deplorers on security, performs a 100 percent hand-carried luggage check and load their luggage onto the plane.

The READY team is a group of predetermined individuals across the 2d Bomb Wing that are called upon periodically to support deployment operations. They assist with bomber rotations, contingency movements, Conventional Operational Readiness Exercises and Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercises. Additional positions within the team include load planner, cargo in-check personnel, joint inspector, cargo marshalling personnel, load team member and manifesting personnel.

Augmentation is base-level realignment of personnel, in other than their assigned Air Force Specialty Code in order to meet the installation's temporary exercise, contingency, wartime or emergency requirements. 

"The goal of the READY team is to augment the deployment machine in key functions during times of contingency movements," said Capt. Lance Church, 2d Logistics Readiness Squadron, flight commander of deployment and distribution.

2d LRS is responsible for all transportation actions required for the cargo deployment function and the air passenger terminal operations. Currently there are 11 air transportation specialists assigned to the 2d LRS with four on steady six month Air Expeditionary Force rotations. They provide the expertise and guidance required to train all augmentees. The numbers are based on the worst-case scenario with full 24-hour operational standup of the work centers. 

"There is a levy out there that each squadron has to commit to with regards to providing personnel," said Captain Church. "The READY team commitments are levied across the wing through collaboration regarding skill set, unit retention for mission needs and 2d BW intent."

Depending on the deployment requirements, size and timeline of the contingency movement determines how many hours and days the READY team will work.

"We usually work anywhere from eight-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts," said Senior Airman Janisse Morris, 2d Dental Squadron. "I perform the anti-hijacking briefing and run the x-ray machine to make sure no prohibited items come through the line."

Many of the Airmen on the READY team enjoy their role in helping the largest bomb wing in the Air Force deploy to operations around the world.

 "I enjoy working on the READY team," said Airman Morris. "The people I work with and leadership are amazing."

Each unit that provides READY augmentees has been given a fair share number that they are required to fill during each exercise or deployment.

 "The individuals are assigned by their unit point of contact.  Currently there are approximately 230 personnel assigned to the READY team, due to current operation tempo, in order to maintain required augmentees on station to fill requirements," said Tech. Sgt. Rickey Todd, 2d LRS, wing augmentee training manager.

All the groups within the wing provide READY Team augmentees.

Training for the READY team is provided by 2d LRS air terminal operation personnel.

"The READY team is an absolute key element to the success of the 2d BW's deployment operations," said Captain Church. "They bring to the table the skills, knowledge and initiative to project the 2d BW's capabilities down range." READY augmentees receive on-the job training, class room training and annual refresher training for their specific job.  Some jobs require more training than others, such as load planners, but it takes everyone working together to be successful.