New deployment center proves mission ready

Airmen assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing verify their identity at the check-in counter as they prepare to leave for Green Flag, a combat training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in the deployment center at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., May 10, 2012. These Airmen were the first to process through Ellsworth’s new deployment center, proving its advanced organization and streamlined processes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kate Thornton/Released)

New deployment center proves mission ready

Airman 1st Class Stefen Ivanovic (left) and Senior Airman Jim Busby, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew members, handle luggage after it has been scanned by transportation safety administration in preparation to leave for Green Flag, a combat training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in the deployment center at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., May 10, 2012. Ellsworth’s new deployment center will feature conveyer belts that will transport luggage from the TSA area to the aircraft for loading. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kate Thornton/Released)

New deployment center proves mission ready

Airman 1st Class Caleb Burker, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, loads luggage into a commercial aircraft prior to leaving for Green Flag, a combat training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., on the flightline at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., May 10, 2012. For some of the Airmen participating in the exercise, Green Flag will be the final exercise before actually deploying to Southwest Asia later this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kate Thornton/Released)

New deployment center increases process efficiency

Published May 23, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Kate Thornton
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- After more than two years of anticipation and hard work, the new $16.8 million deployment center at Ellsworth was completed May 16, 2012.

The systems and processes in the new facility were put to the test May 10, 2012, when Ellsworth Airmen processed through the center prior to Green Flag, a combat training exercise hosted at Nellis AFB, Nev.

Prior to the new facility, a majority of deployment processing was conducted in Ellsworth's Pride Hangar.

"Because of the way the Pride Hangar was laid out, it wasn't built to be used as deployment center so we had to work around it and processes had to change," said Rick Schroeder, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer.

In the past, Airmen assigned to handle cargo processing would endure harsh weather conditions, and Airmen processing to leave tolerated long waiting periods and confusing processing lines in the massive facility.

Schroeder said he and base officials have traveled to several Air Force deployment centers, observing and gathering information to develop a design that best met Ellsworth's deployment needs.

"Ellsworth has one of the newest deployment centers built, so we're a little more state-of-the-art," said Schroeder. "We now have the ability to process all of our cargo indoors in the same facility that we process our personnel."

Ellsworth's new facility features some of the newest technologies, including x-ray machines, metal detectors, conveyer systems, advanced security systems and an automated cargo manifesting system in the cargo bay that takes a picture of cargo then calculates the measurements, axle weights, and center of balance, recording all data in a database.

"Anytime you process, you always think it's probably going to take awhile," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Thompson, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hydraulics systems craftsman, who was among those processing as part of the Green Flag deployers. "But here, it took a very small amount of time. It was really nice."

Based on previous experience, processing the 90 Airmen who departed for Green Flag was expected to take between three to four hours. However, the new facility cut that time in half, taking only one to two hours.

Schroeder added that the center is much better for Airmen dealing with the stress of deploying.
"It's more user-friendly, more comfortable, and more pleasing to the eye," said Schroeder.

In addition to being the epicenter for the base's deployment functions, Schroeder said the facility will provide the base with a great deal to enhance normal daily functions on base, such as special training classrooms, training bays and much more.

"The entire wing will benefit," said Schroeder. "We deploy our people world-wide, and it's an important mission. This deployment center will enable us to process our people and cargo in a timely manner, and meet the objectives that the Air Force chief of staff has given us."