Ensuring the serviceability and availability of more than 400,000 pieces of mobility equipment daily might be a daunting task. But for logistics Airmen providing the correct gear for combat-ready Pacific Air Force troops in training and real-world deployments, it is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.

“Our mission is important because we help saves lives. All our equipment here is in a ready-to-use state since our people can deploy any time,” said Master Sgt. Henry Purvis, chief of the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron war readiness element.

The seven-person team, composed of five military and two Japanese employees, is the central point for all base mobility operations. They are responsible for an assortment of inventories including weapons and body armor.

They also maintain and track nearly 10,000 general purpose, extreme cold weather and chemical warfare defense ensemble bags used by the wing and tenant units.

“It is slow and very detailed work. We carefully inspect each item,” said Senior Airman Jamal Johnson, a war readiness technician. Mobility equipment, which is stored in bins and containers, are stack ceiling-high across their 30,000-square-foot warehouse.

The Airmen look closely for cracks, tears, rips and disbanding, especially on protective equipment.

Unit members said ensuring the “shelf life” of their equipment remains good is the most challenging part of their job.

“We keep track of items diligently. Equipment that passed inspection yesterday might be obsolete the next day,” said Tech. Sgt. Max Villacorta, also a war readiness technician.

Items that are expired or not in compliance are replaced or removed, he said. They also use their computer-based mobility inventory control accountability system to relay information to unit deployment managers here on what items need inspected or updated.

“We might not be on the frontline here in the warehouse but it feels great to know that our troops are assured that the equipment we give them is in top working condition if needed,” Sergeant Purvis said.