AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- The 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron opened the Transient Oasis here, April 11, 2019.
The Transient Oasis acts as a focal point for in-transit service members and civilians awaiting travel.
Staff Sgt. Kayla Dewalt, 379th ELRS Transient Oasis NCO in charge, said the addition of the Transient Oasis has made information and amenities more accessible for those waiting to move.
“The purpose of the Transient Oasis is to help transients out who are either going back home or forward deploying,” said DeWalt. “The Transient Oasis essentially gives them a home away from home. I feel the transients have a better place to go for whatever they need.”
The 379th ELRS fuels distribution flight keeps the facility open 24/7, making amenities and information always available to in-transit warfighters.
“This is kind of like a one-stop shop facility,” said Staff Sgt. Melissa Vesco, 379th ELRS fuels distribution supervisor. “They have Wi-Fi access and can find out information about their schedule and travel plans. We help with any questions like where the dining facility or the Base Exchange is … any question they might have we can facilitate. It’s just nice to be able to provide a little hospitality and relief when they have questions or things they need help with.”
Services provided at the Transient Oasis makes a huge impact for some deployer’s traveling experience.
“This is my first deployment ever. From the time I hit the ground they’ve provided great instruction through the whole process including getting connected to lodging,” said Timothy Brecheen, an in-transit civilian. “What makes innovation like this really important is the first impressions. When you start a deployment, you are away from everything familiar. To have a place you can go that helps you feel connected makes that transition so much easier. When you go downrange you feel positive.”
Vesco said that working at the Transient Oasis is fulfilling and an environment where she can share her own deployment experiences in the support of others.
“I have a soft spot for hospitality and it’s nice to be a good human being and do something nice to help somebody going from one place to the next,” said Vesco. “I think about how it is when I traveled and deployed to different places and it’s just really nice to have a human to talk to if you have questions. It’s nice to be able to provide that type of hospitality.”