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What is Class IV?

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Lori Gawan
  • 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Superintendent
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Class IV may sound like the title of the next major motion picture, but in reality, it is a certain class of materials the Army has available here on Kandahar Airfield.

There are actually ten classes of materials used by all services, but this article focuses on Class IV. What is Class IV and why does one need to care about it? Class IV items are construction and building materials that may be used day in and day out to improve current accommodations or organizations, such as what civil engineers may use for their major construction projects.

There is a specific process Air Force personnel must use to shop at the Class IV. In order to begin this process, commanders must appoint personnel in writing and provide that letter to the 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Customer Support Section and the Class IV. In some instances, a unit's designated "supply" person may be one in the same, but the letter must also stipulate Class IV. This informs ELRS that these personnel are authorized to purchase items on behalf of the unit.

Once approved, it is the unit's responsibility to determine what is available to them at the Class IV and if the item is on hand. Air Force units are not authorized to backorder items at the Class IV. The customer will purchase assets from the Army supply point as either they have it or they don't.

Once that is determined, their next stop is ELRS Customer Service. Customer Service will validate the item is or is not available in Air Force supply channels. If not, then the customer will need to provide a completed DA Form 2765-1, Issue/Turn-in. This is the Army equivalent to the AF Form 2005, Issue/Turn-in. Customer Service will sign or stamp the DA Form 2765-1 approving the purchase at the Class IV.

All Air Force units (active duty, Guard and Reserve) in the area of responsibility must obtain ELRS approval on all requisitions using the DA Form 2765-1 before purchasing from the Army supply points. ELRS will in-turn ensure the items being ordered are loaded in the Air Force supply system. Once the items are received by the unit, they must return a copy of the DA Form 2765-1 to ELRS Customer Service acknowledging receipt. Once the customer provides the documentation, supply personnel will ensure the money has been expensed in the supply system. What does this mean?

Every time Air Force units shop at the Class IV they must use a base identifying code that tells the Army who is buying their material. The Army inputs that code in their system, which generates an audit trail that leads to the Defense Accounting System. DFAS then goes to the Air Force seeking reimbursement. Units must understand that anytime the base identifier code is used to obtain items from another service, they (the unit) are obligating funds from the Air Force stock fund. This code should not be used unless approved by ELRS Customer Service.

This process is extremely important. The assistance and cooperation of everyone is needed to ensure the ELRS continues to acquire the necessary materials from the Army to complete projects on Kandahar Airfield. The above mentioned procedures must be followed to properly obtain materials and to ensure the Army receives the appropriate reimbursements. For more information, contact the ELRS Customer Service at 841-6469.