 |
| |
| Photos | |
 |
Members from the 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, receive lodging keys during an annual exercise at Lajes Field, Azores, on June 8, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lucas Silva)
|
Download HiRes
|
|
|
|
Utah reservists, Lajes Airmen train together
Posted 6/15/2012
Email story
Print story
by 1st Lt Mark Graff
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
6/15/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores (AFNS) -- Reservists from the 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, arrived here June 9 as part of a cooperative effort with the 65th Air Base Wing.
Members of the 419th LRS completed annual training during their temporary duty stay here, while members of the 65th LRS exercised their ability to receive forward-deploying forces.
"I've never been on a (temporary duty) where I've had this type of reception," said Chief Master Sgt. Glenn Bair, the 419th LRS superintendent. "Everybody is here to help us out. Everything is lined up. You couldn't ask for a better reception."
The 419th LRS Airmen focused on training here, but the reservists also assisted their active-duty counterparts at every turn.
The training is a confidence booster, said Capt. Andrew Moisan, the 419th LRS commander's representative.
"It gives them confidence that they know how to do their job, so that when they go down range they have confidence in their abilities," Moisan said. "It also gives the active-duty personnel the opportunity to see that reservists can do the job and do it well."
For Lajes Field logisticians, the arrival of the 419th LRS Airmen validated the 65th LRS' ability to receive and bed down forces.
Though the reservists stay is temporary, the total force integration at Lajes Field will be mutually beneficial for the units, said Lt. Col. Scott Hopper, the 65th LRS commander. "I can tell you that it's a win-win relationship. Both squadrons are going to gain from this relationship."
While training on all facets of the logistics readiness mission, members of the the 419th LRS also devoted some time to ensure that their active-duty counterparts with the 65th are also in compliance with logistics regulations.
"It's a two-way street here," Bair said. "We want to leave Lajes (Field) with an invite to come back because we were able to help Lajes (Field's) personnel accomplish their mission."
This cooperative relationship between the Reserve and active-duty unit is really about the bigger picture, Bair said.
"We've got to prepare the Airmen to support the combatant commanders out in the field," he said. "Lajes (Field) seemed like the place to come to get the training our Airman need."
|
|
|
