Twitter
Facebook
After final completion in December 2010, the new and improved Joint Mobility Processing Center and Installation Deployment Readiness Center has opened offering a more efficient deployment process for the entire KMC.
In honor of the new state-of-the-art facility, the 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron is scheduled to host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. today.
After consolidating seven Air Force work centers, the JMPC has started deploying and redeploying servicemembers throughout the KMC. It is now acting as a main hub for overseas and stateside deployers.
“Our new JMPC gives our Airmen and Soldiers a great tool to execute their critical mission,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, 86th Airlift Wing commander. “It also provides an exceptional platform to present forces in support of U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Central Command operations. I’m excited to cut the ribbon and officially open this world-class facility.”
The new facility has made joint operations easier in processing both cargo and passengers by combining war readiness, the weapons vault, logistics plans, personal readiness, small port operations, support agreements, traffic management function and passenger booking.
“Keeping security and deployment package integrity by processing, holding and moving passengers and cargo all through the same facility, versus several different facilities, is a major benefit to combining all of these work centers,” said Capt. Matthew P. Wallaart, 86th LRS fuels management flight commander.
The JMPC was able to test the facilities for the first time with deployments supporting Operation Odyssey Dawn, processing more than 200 Airmen and nearly 1,000 tons of cargo in just over two weeks.
“On average, we can expect to process about 20 tons of equipment and nearly 100 Air Expeditionary Force and off site training taskings per week,” said Master Sgt. Michael R. Morgan, 86th LRS and IDRC section chief.
What makes this deployment processing center unique is that it’s a fully functioning joint operation, allowing the Air Force to work with their sister services.
“This facility is truly a joint effort, as Soldiers from the 39th Movement Control Team are also permanently assigned to process U.S. Army movements,” General Dillon said. “Not to mention, our Air Mobility Command partners are poised to provide critical air transportation expertise for the safe and effective presentation of cargo and passengers to in-bound and out-bound airlift missions.”
Although the construction for the new operation cost nearly $29 million in construction, the facility is expected to pay for itself in savings and efficiency.
“In the long run, we will be saving money by reducing the amount of time it takes to process contingency deployment packages, the amount of people needed to man each facility, wear and tear on government vehicles, and maintaining multiple facilities,” Captain Wallaart said.
The combined facilities promise to put Airmen in the fight more efficiently.
“At the end of the day, our job is simply to ensure the Air Force is presenting fully trained and equipped personnel as war-fighters, along with fully functional equipment, ready to contribute to the mission downrange, wherever and whenever needed,” Sergeant Morgan said.
