Accountability: The first step to mission success

Published July 9, 2018
By Staff Sgt. Joshua Kingg
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- After countless hours in the air and a few layovers, Airmen deploying to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia arrive by bus to the personnel support for contingency operations office. These Airmen rise from their seat, grab their 72-hour bag and stand in lanes marked by red tape along with hundreds of their peers. The ground beneath their feet will serve as their new home for the next four months to one year.

Before grabbing a hot meal at the dining facility or finding their assigned living arrangements, these jet-lagged Airmen must in-process with the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron PERSCO staff – a team of Airmen who serve as the main source of accountability for the base that averages 8,000 personnel a year.

“On any given day, we can have more than 250 people in-processing at one time,” said Senior Airman Heaven Hudson, 386th EFSS PERSCO administration journeyman. “Many of them are tired, and some will have plenty of questions to ask. Some have no questions at all, but may be too tired to effectively listen. This is just part of the process. However, I think we roll with the punches pretty well.”

From complying with status of forces agreements with host countries, to providing support in real-world emergencies – accountability is an important part of the mission. Knowing where deployed Airmen are at all times is crucial in supporting the busiest aerial port in the area of responsibility. In-processing these service members is the first step.

The in-process procedure at ‘The Rock’ is different from other deployed locations as their members are flown directly to their destinations from here, resulting in less logistics for Airmen who will continue on to a different final destination. These transient Airmen are still accounted for until they continue to their respective assignments.

For the Airmen staying here; they are called up by unit, and their mobility folders and checklists are reviewed to ensure all required training is complete. Once the paperwork is checked off, their First Sergeant takes them to continue with their squadron or unit in-processing checklists.

Tech. Sgt. Christina Martinez, 386th EFSS PERSCO administrative non-commissioned officer, said the team is continuously working to improve their process to make the transition as streamlined as possible, with the goal of providing transient and incoming personnel a hot meal and a bed within a two-hour timeframe.

“Not only will it make our mission easier to execute, but those who in and out-process will be much happier with an expedited timeline,” she said.

This initial sequence of events can seem chaotic, especially to newcomers. However, to the PERSCO team, it’s just another day.

According to Martinez, the hard work the team puts in every day has resulted in an influx of positive feedback. Whether it is assisting an Airman traveling home to see their family or helping a Soldier forward deploying to support a mission, she said the team has definitely found their stride.

“We have had several transients come back the next day telling us how smooth the process actually was,” she said. “Most recently, a Major returned to our office and gave our team accolades for the process.”

In addition to accomplishing their main mission, the team of 18 is ready to correct any common access cards problems personnel may face during their deployment. They also serve as the hub for all reenlistment and extension paperwork.

Capt. Elizabeth Wszalek, 386th EFSS manpower and personnel flight commander, said her team works hard every day and stresses the importance of in and out-processing, even including intra-theater travel. She said the team’s final challenge is to help with the transition and turnover to their replacements, as many of the current personnel will be returning home soon.

With the team’s capability to manage and process hundreds of personnel on any given occasion – the transition should be easy.

“It is the enthusiasm and knowledge of the team members that help make these mission go so smoothly,” she said. “They are a great group and I truly enjoyed learning from each of them.”