Supply Airmen run mission lifeline at Ali Base

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Andrew Gates
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Paperclips, toilet bowls, sulfuric acid and body armor all have something in common. They are all items that have arrived at Ali Base through the supply system for issue by logisticians.

"We are here to provide supply support for the base and do whatever else we can to help fight the war on terrorism," said Master Sgt. Steve Sawyer, 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of warehouse operations.

"People need supplies to keep their equipment running, their weapons loaded and their computers operational," Sergeant Sawyer said. "We help make sure people have what they need to do their mission here."

The team brings in items including ammunition, chemical gear, aircraft equipment and cleaning products.

"We make sure everything gets where it needs to be," said Staff Sgt. Shannon Alexander, deployed here from Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

The flight is effective, Sergeant Sawyer said, because they know how the supply system works, and know where to go if a problem arises.

"We want to reduce unnecessary work for other Airmen at Ali Base, so they can keep their minds on getting their mission done," he said.

A normal day for the team consists of going through supplies brought in by airlift overnight and then issuing those to the Airmen on base, Sergeant Sawyer said. Additionally, the team conducts inventories of items such as weapons and ammunition and issues protective gear.

The job at Ali -- where the mission is to support operations that control the airspace over southern Iraq -- is a bit different from that at home stations.

"We do three different supply jobs combined into one here," said Senior Airman Antrone Kingston, deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. "Our job here is looked at from three different angles."

The supply logisticians manage a warehouse, run an area where Ali workers can pick up basic office supplies, and store weapons and ammunition.

Drawing on the experiences of those from other bases can make things interesting at times.

"All of us are doing the job the way we were taught at our home stations," Sergeant Sawyer said. "Sometimes that causes some challenges. But the challenges also offer us the opportunity to work together as a team. If we do our job as a team, then we will be able to help meet our goals as a team."

Members of the team enjoy the opportunities that the job brings as well.

"I enjoy dealing with all kinds of people in different branches of the armed forces," said Senior Airman Matthew Slate, deployed from Eglin. "It gives me the opportunity to meet new people."

Taking care of customers takes a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of teamwork, Sergeant Alexander said.

"We do work hard, but we have a lot of fun doing it," she said.

And that is probably the most important element to Airman Kingston.

"I enjoy getting to the end of the day," he said. "My co-workers and myself may be sweated out, but we got the mission accomplished."

The team is proud of what they are doing for Iraq.

"I believe everyone should have a chance at freedom," Airman Kingston said.

And as team members look around the base, they can see the benefits of their efforts.

"Every day I see a vehicle running or a computer operating, I am able to say, ‘Those parts came from my warehouse,'" Airman Kingston said.