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If it has four wheels, an engine and runs on gasoline, the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron is most likely responsible for it and helping keep others behind the wheel.
The Ramstein VRS has one mission: to keep the KMC moving through rain, snow and sunshine. From the smallest matter, such as getting a driver’s license, to driving the big busses, the 86th VRS has its hands in just about everything transportation related on Ramstein.
“One of the biggest missions the VRS supports is the wounded warriors coming in from downrange,” said Master Sgt. Richard Albeck, 86th VRS material control foreman. “We provide all the busses and ambulances that take troops up to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.”
Wounded warrior transportation is just one part of a never-ending mission for the Air Force’s only vehicle readiness squadron.
“We are in charge with keeping the flightline functioning, especially during the winter,” Sergeant Albeck said. “When the snow starts to fall, the squadron is on red alert.”
The 86th VRS not only supports one of the Air Force’s biggest flightlines, but also takes care of all personnel in the KMC.
“Before anyone can come through Germany, they have to come through us,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Dennis, 86th VRS NCO in charge of driver’s testing.
“From getting their U.S. Army Europe license to getting their privately owned vehicle inspected to getting their government owned vehicle license, they have to come through us. Without us, the base would not be able to move.”
Because of the obvious dependence on transportation, one thing the unit has to be sure of is timeliness, said 1st Lt. Allison Gilchrist, 86th VRS vehicle operations officer.
“Sometimes a plane part has to be delivered to the flightline, and at that point we have 30 minutes to get it out there to them,” she said. “Also, we have to be sure to pickup and drop off the aircrew at the correct time.”
Supporting one of the biggest bases, the 86th VRS has become a teaching tool for other vehicle readiness operations throughout the Air Force.
“We were one of the first bases to try out AFSO, or Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century,” said Senior Airman Danae Hayes, 86th VRS vehicle mechanic and unit deployment manager. “AFSO is where each shop is broken down into sections for specific areas such as electrical or brakes. When a young Airman straight out of tech school comes through, they are taught one cell at a time. This allows them to learn the specific parts and the breakdown of tools. It has increased efficiency, and this process is now spreading throughout the Air Force.”
Finding efficiencies in their operations is definitely needed, considering the squadron is charged with not only maintaining the largest fleet of governmet vehicles, but also accomplishes more than 22,000 POV inspections a year.
“We run a 24/7 squadron,” Lieutenant Gilchrist said. “And our jobs can get a little stressful, but we try to do many squadron functions to alleviate the stress. We have one of the busiest, demanding schedules, but we rely on each other get through those tough times, and you can see our spirit push through at events like the promotion ceremonies.”
Though it has been a lot of hard work, it has all paid off in the end.
“We just recently received an ‘Excellent’ in the Unit Compliance Inspection,”
Lieutenant Gilchrist said. “The vehicle operations flight received an ‘Outstanding’ during the UCI, which hasn’t been achieved in over a decade. Also, we were awarded the 2008 USAFE Vehicle Operations Flight of the Year.”
