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The 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron is the single point of contact for Ramstein’s expeditionary logistics and combat readiness capability.
From providing Airmen with the equipment they need while deployed to preparing cargo to be moved downrange, the squadron is responsible for the immense task of moving Team Ramstein’s personnel and cargo all over the world, usually in a matter of weeks, days or even hours.
This week alone, during Ramstein’s operational readiness inspection, LRS has been
busy pushing more than 500 exercise participants through the doors on to their next stop. On the way, each servicemember is provided all the equipment they would need in a real-world scenario, everything from chemical gear to gloves and sleeping bags.
“Logistics Readiness Squadron manages, stores, distributes and deploys supplies, equipment and vehicles to Team Ramstein and supported combatant commands, which helps enhance wartime and peacetime operations,” said Capt. Dawn Baker, the Ramstein deployment officer. “We will get you what you need — when and where you need it.”
The squadron consists of three flights: the deployments and distribution flight, the fuels flight and the material management flight. Together, they process approximately 2,000 people and 160,000 pounds of cargo annually, not including operational readiness exercises, inspections or surge deployments.
“LRS is the big muscle that propels the machine,” Captain Baker said. “We do this by supplying the Airmen with equipment they need, processing them though the deployment center and ensuring that all the cargo and personnel get to the right place at the right time.”
The nerve center for the deployment process is the deployment control center.
“The DCC is the command and control hub for deployment operations,” Lt. Col. Joel Gartner, 86th LRS commander. “The DCC team plans, manifests, controls and develops all the sequence of events to deliver the forces on time to the locations as designed.”
Depending on where the Airmen are deploying to, they need protective equipment and gear to do their jobs.
“We are one of the first stops in the mobility process,” said Master Sgt. Mark Noll, 86th LRS mobility equipment section non-commissioned officer in charge. “We provide the deployers all the gear they need, from sleeping bags to chemical protective equipment. We have to ensure that every person is fitted correctly with chemical protective gear and all the equipment they need for downrange.”
During the ORI, LRS members practice the same duties they have both here at home station and deployed locations across the globe.
While the deployers process and prepare to get on the plane, about 50 LRS members in two 12-hour shifts work on the cargo.
“Cargo starts at the unit and requires oversight throughout the entire process,” Captain Baker said. “The unit delivers it to the cargo yard where the cargo is processed, paperwork is completed, and finally a joint inspection (that) ensures the cargo is safe for flight is completed. This information is then loaded into a system that allows us to track the cargo’s movement to its final destination.”
But no matter how efficient the system of deploying assets is, there are always challenges that can affect the time line.
“If a pallet comes to us and it’s not built right, then we have to rebuild it, which slows down the processing time for that chalk,” said Master Sgt. Ralph Bell, 86th LRS Cargo Movement Section chief. “It’s like a domino effect. Everything has to be just right before the cargo becomes ready for airlift.”
Captain Baker said that just like the cargo, people have to be ready to deploy before the LRS team can do their job. That’s where they get help from the mission support squadron.
“Before the LRS team can deploy people, we need to make sure all these Airmen are able to fulfill their duties downrange.” said Capt. Kelly Barton, 86th Mission Support Squadron Military Personnel Section chief. “We look through their records to make sure they have the proper training and that they are prepared so they know exactly what they need when they get downrange.”
