Supply Airmen keep materials rolling in

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Andrew Gates
  • 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  When people think of supply support, the first item that comes to mind may not be water.

And yet, a weighty part of the supply Airmen’s job in the arid environment here is to process 15 pallets of the liquid each week. More than 25,000 bottles of water are used each week by 600-plus Airmen deployed here for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Of course, the supply Airmen are responsible for much more than just bringing in the life-giving fluid.

“We receive and distribute all the property that comes to the Air Force at Bagram,” said Senior Airman Jennifer Kellner, of the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Support Squadron. “We’re responsible for bringing in aircraft parts, office supplies and items ordered through local purchase.”

The local purchase process is much different here than at a home station. At home, unit officials can normally go off base and purchase much of what they need. In Afghanistan, security concerns and availability preclude that option. So, the Airmen rely on a team back home.

“When we have to purchase some mission-essential equipment or supplies by local purchase, we do it through Langley (Air Force Base, Va.),” Airman Kellner said.

Most of the items are small -- including knives, flashlights and backpacks. Sometimes, they are larger -- vehicle or airplane parts. Some are cheap, and a few are incredibly expensive.

“We had one item that came through that cost more than $60,000,” said Staff Sgt. Felicita Navarro, of the 455th ELRS.

No matter the size or the cost of the item, the Airmen provide a vital link in the logistics chain. Once the item arrives on base, it comes through the traffic management office before it is turned over to the supply Airmen who issue it.

Life in a deployed supply flight is much more generalized than that at a home station, said Airman Kellner. “You get a chance to work in every section. At home, I normally put together the deployment kits. Here, I am doing every job in supply -- ordering, receiving, and (issuing).”

The process is also a lot slower than one might be used to at home, mostly because everything comes in on space-available airlift. Items that might take a day or two to be shipped often take a week or longer to get here from the United States.

“Last week, we had a couple of days in a row when nothing came in,” Airman Kellner said. “Then, we got hit hard.”

Besides ordering supplies, the supply flight has a small store of office supplies. They have about 150 different supplies ranging from paperclips to computer equipment.

The Airmen are also responsible for issuing uniform items to replace those damaged and issuing body armor to those who were unable to get the gear through their home stations.

“We make sure that everyone who comes here has everything they need to stay safe and secure,” Sergeant Navarro said.

Meeting new people helps make the job worthwhile, Airman Kellner said.

“I get to meet a lot of people in my job. I really enjoy this opportunity to work with different people and make new friends,” she said.