The Ellsworth machine meets mission needs

  • Published
  • By Rick Schroeder
  • 28th Bomb Wing Installation Deployment Office
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Editor's note: This article is part 1 of a series.

What if we could take a class on how to deploy a wing and have it all figured out? Wouldn't that be great? Well, unfortunately, it's not that simple. Although many see a wing deployment as smooth or error free, deploying a wing takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work. There are countless professionals checking and double checking cargo and passenger information before we even think about the heading-out-the-door portion.

For example, your unit deployment manager does a tremendous job. They smooth out the rough edges of smaller pieces, like individuals and cargo processing, to ensure they fit together in the larger puzzle. They check to make sure deployment requirements are met. For instance, they ensure the people they are responsible for have the necessary gear, have the necessary training and are medically qualified for a deployment. Medical professionals assist by scouring over hundreds of medical records to ensure we don't send anyone who is not medically qualified or who is in need of medical actions.

If you are part of a unit type code that has accompanying cargo, UDMs ensure necessary paperwork is loaded into the computer system that plans, tracks and monitors deployments. This computer system, the logistics module, stores every piece and part of equipment to be shipped by national stock number, or NSN, and part number. Once entered into LOGMOD, the generated paperwork must be printed out and delivered with the cargo to the deployment center so inspectors can take one last look at cargo and build a paperwork package to accompany the cargo. Once this step is complete, the cargo is prepared for air shipment.

The professionals of the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron Readiness Flight, then spring and begin to prepare and issue mobility bags and weapons as needed. The 28th LRS Logistics Planners (affectionately called loggies) build a deployment schedule of events, or DSOE, that will track every action leading up to and through the actual wing deployment. Each aircraft, or chalk, is choreographed to the second and monitored closely in the deployment control center. As one event is completed another event starts. Failure of one event in the chain could result in a late aircraft departure; we call this a busted chalk. More than a dozen professionals in the DCC monitor times throughout the process, move passengers around in LOGMOD, block seats and ensure the wing stays on track.

Out on the cargo floor there are more than 40 professionals (all augmentees) checking and double-checking cargo and paperwork to ensure it's all safe for air transport and combatant commanders have visibility of the cargo while it is traveling across the globe. Kind of like companies using delivery services so they can see where the package is, we do the same thing and it's called ITV, or in-transit visibility. ITV is the single most important transportation aspect of deployments. That is why paperwork and computer entries must be precise.

Then comes the time when the deployer must come to the deployment center. UDMs their done his job to ensure readiness. Now a few more professionals will take their turn to ensure deployers are even more prepared. I bet you had no idea there were this many people working to deploy you and your cargo.

When deployers arrive at the deployment center about two dozen personnel deployment function professionals work hard to ensure they process in for the deployment and are comfortable until the time comes to board the aircraft. Baggage must be checked, weighed and palletized. Individual's weight and next of kin information must be checked so passenger manifests can be accomplished. Last minute briefings are conducted by chaplains to ensure awareness of cultural or religious concerns. Public health medical technicians brief health-care concerns. Comptrollers brief finance availability at the deployed location. Family support professionals will be there to answer questions about the care family. While all this is going on, five-person aircraft load teams, three teams each, are loading and tying down cargo on the aircraft so it's safe to fly. Then it's one last roll call before LRS vehicle operations professionals fire up their buses and line up outside the deployment center (usually about 5 buses for large deployments) and take deployers to awaiting aircraft.

All these jobs require a tremendous amount of professionalism, dedication and training. Specialized training is provided by the unit, but countless training classes are provided throughout the year by 28th LRS Air Terminal Operations Center personnel. ATOC personnel train hundreds of augmentees on aircraft loading, cargo preparation, aircraft load planning, ramp coordinating, cargo marshalling, cargo in-checking, cargo manifesting, passenger manifesting and baggage handling. They also train most of the augmentees and a good portion of the remaining base military members on cargo pallet build-up. This class enables units to build their own cargo pallets for deployments.

In a very brief time I've given you the basics for how we at Ellsworth deploy the wing. You could say you've been given "Deployments 101".class. Next time you're standing in the deployment center waiting to deploy just think about the hundreds of professionals working behind the scenes to make it all happen. Now you have an understanding of how it all fits together. Last but not least, all this couldn't happen without "teamwork". But that's another article sometime ...

Editor's note: The author of this article, Rick Schroeder, is the installation deployment officer for Ellsworth. As such, he is responsible for overseeing the effective execution of the deployment machine in accomplishing the Ellsworth and Air Force mission.