Supply division improves deployment line

Brian Bailey, supply training manager, inspects and issues a weapon for Airman 1st Class Junghee Cho, a fitness specialist with the 95th Mission Support and Services Squadron, during a recent exercise. Aside from accounting for and issuing weapons, the supply group issues mobility bags to Airmen creating a one-stop solution for Airmen prior to deploying. (Photo by Mike Cassidy)

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Supply division improves deployment line

Published Aug. 28, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Mikeal Young
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Editor's note: This article is the third in a three-part series highlighting the 95th Mission Support Group's deployment operations division.

Allowing Airmen to spend more time with their loved ones and less time going through the processing line prior to deployment is a major benefit of the supply group's ever-evolving pre-deployment process.

Over the years, the 95th Mission Support Group supply division has renovated and tweaked the tedious deployment process, which has improved accuracy and efficiency.

"Taking care of our people is the most important thing," said Bill Martin, contract manager for the base supply.

Several different changes have taken place making this process easier and more convenient for deploying Airmen, Mr. Martin said.

During exercises, Airmen used to pack their heavy mobility bags in the deployment line upstairs at building 3735. This posed a possible safety hazard because of the weight and awkwardness of the bags. Now the line is located in a centralized area of building 3736.

In addition, Airmen were burdened with going back and forth to different places. They also received their A and C bags separately from their B bags and weapons.

"The process was very time consuming," Mr. Martin said. "Airmen had to take their gear with them as they traveled around base. This increased the risk of items being left behind by mistake."

Because contracts and processes have changed, Airmen going though their in-processing are sized for and issued all three bags, Mr. Martin said.

The supply division ensures the Airmen are prepared with their gear in advance, Mr. Martin said. The Airmen spend less time going from place to place and when they go through the deployment line, it is a quick and easy process.

"Our new method also improved accuracy," said Brian Bailey, supply training manager for base supply. "Instead of building their own bag once they arrive, their bag is already built for them."

The supply team also provides Airmen's weapons, allowing for "one-stop shopping." Security forces, the explosive ordinance division and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations are the only exception to this.

The supply division has come a long way in the effectiveness and convenience of the deployment line and in preparing Airmen for deployment, Mr. Martin said. What used to require eight or nine hours to get through, now only takes an hour-and-a-half.

"It is important to be efficient because every minute Airmen has to spend here is another minute they are not spending with their family," Mr. Martin said.