Osan Airmen provide force, equipment sustainment

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Kilgallon
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) --  Members of the Osan Air Base deployment readiness control center is the hub for Airmen, equipment and cargo that deploy in and out of the base during real-world events and exercises.

Deployment readiness control center members work closely with each installation's duty officers to ensure day-to-day management of unit deployment functions are completed and expeditionary Airmen are prepared to deploy and ready to fight and win tonight.

"The DRCC here is the command and control function for all Airmen and equipment that deploy in and out of Osan for exercises and real-world events," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Morris, the 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of plans and integration section. "Not only do we receive all Airmen coming to Osan, but also we account for and accept their equipment, which can be anything from personnel equipment to aircraft support material," he added.

As new Airmen arrive at Osan AB, they are met by DRCC teams who transport them to the base's reception processing unit where they are in-processed onto Osan AB.

"As the new Airmen arrive, they are processed through the RPU where we check to make sure they have all basic mobility items they left their last base with; such as their identification cards, their dog tags and their mobility folders," said Master Sgt. Tania Figueroa, the 51st Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of the RPU and personnel deployment function. "While processing through the RPU, Airmen can visit other agencies on the processing line such as legal, finance, the chaplain and lodging. These functions are here to assist inbound and outbound members in the event there is a change in their personnel status."

After Airmen finish processing through the RPU, they are released to their organizations through the use of the combat catch program.

"The combat catch program is an Osan-specific program designed to assist with the reception and the integration of exercise and real-world combat forces as they arrive to the base," said Master Sgt. Richard Dupree, the 51st Comptroller Squadron and fighter wing agency staff first sergeant. "The combat catch program is invaluable because once Airmen are released from the RPU, the monitors make sure they get to their quarters, familiarize them with the base, the organization's mission, the chain of command and finally when and where they will be working."

The management of inbound and outbound equipment is similar in nature, but is managed by a completely different team.

"The cargo deployment and reception functions are responsible for accounting for and dispersing cargo for Osan and follow-on forces," said Tech. Sgt. Ramona Hammer, the 51st LRS CDF NCO in charge. "Our job is to process all cargo for onward movement and to ensure that all inbound cargo is received and sent to the units as soon as possible."

All these functions are blended together in order to ensure the Osan AB combat mission continues.

"The actions of the DRCC in working with the CDF and PDF are a seamless transition from our normal day-to-day activities to our warfighter duties," said Capt. James Cummins, the 51st LRS wing installation deployment officer. "The professionalism and attention to detail displayed by these Airmen in getting the job right and on-time is what ensures the wing deployment and reception commitments are met and accomplished in direct support of the wing's combat mission."

Maj. Sean Wade, the 51st LRS commander, said great military minds like Jomini and Clausewitz, who are considered to be founders of modern strategy in the 1800s, serve as a constant reminder of the importance of logistics in warfare.

"In today's environment, the role of logistics is even greater today than ever before," Major Wade said. "To be expeditionary, a military force must be able to rapidly move and sustain forces anywhere in the world and that effective logistics capabilities will always be the marker of a dominant military force. This is key to maintaining the 51st Fighter Wing's ability to fight and sustain operations tonight."