Expeditionary supply technicians order up success

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 416th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KARSHI-KHANABAD AIR BASE, Uzbekistan (AFPN) --  Ensuring continuous supplies are available to support military operations here falls in part to a group of six Airmen from the 416th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron’s supply section.

If vital aircraft spare parts for the C-130 Hercules are needed, it is their responsibility to order and receive them. If supplies are needed -- from printer toner cartridges to file folders -- they either have it or get it fast.

“(We ensure) warfighters have the necessary gear and parts they need to effectively fight the (war on terrorism),” said Master Sgt. Bill Ladd, 416th EMSS supply section superintendent deployed from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. “In my job, I’m responsible for the entire Air Force supply operation here. ... The bulk of which is to ensure all aircraft and nonaircraft parts are ordered and received.”

The more than 150 types of spare parts for a C-130 they receive can be a challenge, Sergeant Ladd said.

“We have to be on top of everything because we’re at a base where planes fly constantly every day and parts can get worn out or break,” Sergeant Ladd said. “We receive and process more than 500 aircraft parts through our facility every week. That’s why it’s our duty to make sure our Airmen have all they need to keep our airlift mission going successfully.”

Staff Sgt. Jack Hatfield, night shift supervisor for the supply section, said he coordinates local purchase assets to support the mission.

“I coordinate with supply channels established with the U.S. to order, ship and receive local purchase assets that can’t be procured through normal supply channels,” said Sergeant Hatfield, who is also deployed from Grand Forks. “My day-to-day supply activities include ordering items for customers, receiving property, and working with our maintenance units to ensure we can help them in any way we can.”

Airman 1st Class Abigail Yhisreal, supply management apprentice with the section deployed from Grand Forks, said she helps process between 800 and 1,000 supply transactions a week. It is an effort she is proud to be part of.

“I know my work, though indirectly, helps keep the planes up in the air,” Airman Yhisreal said. “That’s the best aspect of my deployment here … I’ve been able to learn more about my job and how it ties into the entire Air Force mission.”

“In my honest opinion, we are some of the unsung heroes of the base,” said Airman 1st Class Jerome Clark who is deployed from Grand Forks. “We’re a very important part of keeping our planes equipped with the parts they need to keep flying the Operation Enduring Freedom missions here. There’s a saying, ‘You can’t fly without supply.’ It’s definitely true in a wartime environment.”

The daily grind of processing and receiving equipment and supplies for Airmen here has its moments, said Senior Airman Aaron Cruz, supply management journeyman also deployed from Grand Forks. But it is through their relentless effort, he said, that mission success for the 416th Air Expeditionary Group’s airlift and support people becomes apparent.

“Our support ensures that all personnel here are properly equipped and have the needed assets to continue their duty every day,” Airman Cruz said. “Imagining a deployed troop without supplies is like driving a car with no wheels -- you just don’t get anywhere.

“Supporting the (war on terrorism) is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to help make a safer and better environment for our future generations,” he said. “If my work never enters the history books, that’s OK. I’ll already know I’ve made a difference in some way.”

Whether it is issuing out more than 100 uniform items or processing more than 75 aircraft parts for repair turn in every week, Airmen can be rest assured the supply Airmen here are completing their jobs to the best of their ability, said Staff Sgt. Angel Cain, supply management craftsman in charge of dayshift operations.

“The work we do helps with the mission -- we are all aware of that and it drives us every day,” said Sergeant Cain, who is deployed from Langley AFB, Va. “If we make sure each person who comes to see us never gets turned away, then we have done something good. That’s just one way we will always know that we can say ‘mission accomplished.’”