86th CTS, on the move

***image1***The 86th Construction and Training Squadron’s Transportation Flight is always on the move.

This flight, working on the 86th CTS compound on Ramstein, ensures vital equipment and materials arrive on location, and on time.

The 86th CTS completes about 36 projects each fiscal year. And, that takes careful planning and preparation to ensure vehicles, equipment and supplies arrive at the job sites on time. Any delays could cause a work stoppage and postpone the scheduled completion date. 

The flight’s vehicle operations section is manned with one vehicle operations manager, one vehicle dispatcher and 10 local national vehicle operators. This year, these drivers  transported 800,000 tons of cargo across 350,000 kilometers of roadway through 14 European countries without one accident. 

“Our drivers must ensure the materials and equipment arrive at the job site in time for the team to complete the project on schedule, and then move on to the next location where we again must have the materials in place on time,” said Jürgen Winter, 86th CTS Vehicle Operations Flight chief.
 
***image2***The flight also transports mobile aircraft arresting systems, providing protection for F-16 Falcons and pilots during air shows, exercises and missions.

The vehicle operators have transported the arresting systems to Bulgaria, Italy, England and Iceland, just to name a few locations.

“Country clearances, hazardous goods declarations and oversize load clearances all need to be prepared in advance,” said Rosi Dellmuth, the flight’s lead transportation assistant. 

Coordination with the base Traffic Management Office, the Army Transportation Movement Control agency and foreign embassies is required to complete the paperwork.

Due to the squadron’s unique capabilities, they are equipped with their own vehicle maintenance section. Seventeen local national civilians and two military personnel are responsible for maintaining a fleet of 234 vehicles.

“Having our own mechanics allows us to send them to job sites around Europe and downrange on short notice, saving thousand of dollars in contract maintenance costs and excessive vehicle down-time,” said Master Sgt. Darin Hinners, the flight superintendent. The mechanics have also been able to keep a 1964 street paint marking truck in service by manufacturing parts in their machine shop; replacement parts are no longer available.

It’s all about getting the cargo to the right place at the right time.  (Courtesy of the 86th Construction and Training Squadron)