HomeNewsArticle Display

Mobility augmentees aid base in exercise, deployment process

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  They keep the mission airborne. Literally. They also helped Tinker prepare for next week's operational readiness inspection. They are Tinker's mobility augmentees.

Based out of the 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, nearly 100 civilian and military members help deploying military members process through the mobility line, load deployers and their cargo on an outgoing aircraft. During War Wagon 10-01, the most recent ORI exercise, mobility augmentees participated in phase I and ensured Airmen arrived at the exercise training site.

"When it comes down to warfighter support, mobility-augmentee duty is as close as you can get to 'boots on the ground' in the area of responsibility," said Jennifer Zenzen, 72nd LRS Air Terminal and Passenger Movement, Traffic Management specialist. "It doesn't matter how many people we send to the desert, if they don't have equipment, they're dead in the water."

Though the program is expected to change after the ORI, augmentees currently sign a two-year obligation contract. The duty is a paid position, but civilians typically volunteer for the task and many come from an eclectic mix of on-base organizations, including Barbara Speaks, who works at Defense Logistics Agency Oklahoma City.

Ms. Speaks, who has been an augmentee since 1993, said she got into the program after a co-worker told her about it.

"Originally, I started just for a change of pace, being able to do something different every now and then," she said. "But, after I worked there a few times, I found that I really enjoyed it and couldn't wait for them to call me to come back. It gave me a much greater respect and appreciation for the people serving in the military."

Before augmentees are released to the flight line, they undergo training, which consists of two classes - Packaging and Preparation of Deployment Cargo and Preparation of Hazardous Materials for Deployment. Augmentees may be trained to use a fork-lift, as well as other materials' handling equipment.

Following training, augmentees are sent to work in one of three areas - air passenger terminal, cargo deployment function or contingency aerial port.

Ms. Zenzen compared the APT to an airport, in which a passenger arrives and drops off the bag for inspection. A similar check is performed for cargo at the CDF and cargo is then loaded onto the aircraft at the CAP.

The flight line is a 24-hour operation and the 72nd LRS is responsible for deploying 47 Oklahoma military units, which include the Navy, Army and Air Force Reserve units. Augmentees typically work 12-hour shifts until an exercise or deployment is completed.

Exercises traditionally last two to three days, while a real-world scenario may last weeks, Ms. Zenzen said.

"We, as augmentees, sacrifice our time, our families, our bodies, along with our hearts to see that we are there until it's finished," said Mickey Medcalf, of DLA-OC, who has been an augmentee since 1991.

Master Sgt. Terry Freeman, an augmentee from the 72nd Dental Squadron, agreed.

"Augmentees are a vital part of accomplishing missions," said Sergeant Freeman, who has been an augmentee for the past five years. "It gives people a chance to see a different side of the Air Force mission."

In fiscal year 2009, the logistics readiness squadron worked 11 exercises and 16 real-world deployments. Augmentees aided in the processing of more than 1,800 passengers and 2.3-million pounds of cargo deploy for exercises. Augmentees also assisted approximately 1,200 passengers and 63-million pounds of cargo deploy for real-world events, including several presidential missions.

"To me, there's no greater feeling than being a part of the mission," Ms. Zenzen said. "Warfighter support is first and foremost as far as we're concerned and they can't do their job over there without us here."

For the War Wagon 10-01, augmentees participated in phase one, ensuring nearly 540 Airmen made it through the mobility line. After working 24 hours straight, augmentees said they are ready for the ORI.

"We seemed to be more busy than usual during the exercise but didn't have trouble taking care of baggage and assisting personnel with instructions and bag ticketing," said Donald "Donnie" Hunt of the 76th Maintenance Support Squadron, who has been an augmentee for the past two years.