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Fuel bladders, filters, hoses and R-11 refueling units do not prepare themselves. These are only some of the materiels the 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron uses to provide support in deployed operations.
The mission of the 86th MMS is to store, maintain and account for all War Response Materiel equipment for deployments downrange. Although administratively located at Ramstein, the bulk of the operations take place at locations in Luxembourg and Norway.
The 86th MMS is a unique team of 38 members from 17 different career fields responsible for more than 85 percent of U.S Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa War Response Materiel. The WRM consists of aerospace ground equipment, basic expeditionary airfield resources kits, vehicle assets, external fuel tanks, bomb racks and more than $151 million in other equipment the Airmen must maintain every day.
“WRM is ready to go when the mission requires it,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Douglas, 86th MMS NCOIC of operations. “We pride ourselves in knowing we have covered all the bases to ensure the quality and reliability of all WRM assets.”
The squadron’s objective is to ensure they have the capability to have WRM ready at any given moment.
“We are always ready to deploy assets wherever, whenever, they’re needed to get the job done,” Douglas said.
Downrange, these Airmen provide support to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and NATO, as well as the combatant commander-directed exercises for disaster relief, contingencies and war missions.
Because they handle the fuel bladders, filters, hoses and R-11 refueling units, their duties are essential for deployed operations involving aircraft and vehicles.
“It takes qualified Airmen to plan and set up these operations and support a deployed location,” Douglas said. “Without them, the aircraft won’t even fly.”
According to the Airmen of the 86th MMS, maintaining a high level of responsibility is key in their daily duties.
“Our mission is important,” said Staff Sgt. Alfred Beas, 86th MMS aircraft armament systems technician. “Our readiness for operations could become a deciding factor in the outcome of wartime missions.”
