Moving those who move the mission

Published July 25, 2008
By Master Sgt. Jeff Loftin
379th Air Expeditionary Public Affairs

Southwest Asia -- Sheila Jamero is a grandmother who goes by the call sign "Grammy," but she is also part of a key link in fighting the Global War on Terror.

Ms. Jamero is part of the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Operations Section responsible for getting aircrews to their aircraft on time so they can take the fight to the enemy.

"What we do provides direct support to the warfighting effort," said Ron Vaughan, 379 ELRS vehicle operations manager. "If we don't get a crew out there on time they may not make their mission on time. They may not be able to put the bombs on target when they need to be there. All of our people take that very seriously. The most important thing we do is aircrew transport."

Mr. Vaughan said timing is everything in flight operations.

"When an unscheduled aircrew comes in we have a 10-minute response time," he said. "We normally do it in three minutes. For scheduled crews going out, we have to be there on time. We have a lot of crews to move and not a lot of time to do it. Our operators make it happen."

According to Mr. Vaughan, the section transported more than 35,000 aircrews in the past year alone.

"The most challenging part of being here is the high operations tempo," said Tech. Sgt. Chris Lelm, an augmentee for the section deployed here from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. "That keeps us pretty busy. Out of a 12-hour day, on average I probably spend eight hours behind the wheel."

Long, busy days are the norm for the 62 civilians and nine military augmentees assigned to the section.

"A lot of them spend about nine and a half hours of a 10-hour shift driving," said Mr. Vaughan. "Some of them drive a shuttle bus for six hours, take a 30-minute lunch break and head out to the flightline for the rest of the day. For people who haven't been in the military, they grasp the importance of what we do and they jump right in."

In addition to aircrew transportation, the section is responsible for the base shuttle buses, airport shuttles, disabled vehicle recovery, vehicle licensing and training, some cargo movement and distinguished visitor support. The section operates 44-, 28-, 25-, and 23-passenger buses as well as tractor trailers, forklifts, wreckers and other vehicles.

In the last 12 months the section transported more than 143,960 passengers and 363,000 pounds of cargo. Keeping all those passengers cool in this environment can be challenging, according to Mr. Vaughan.

"One of our biggest challenges is making sure we provide our passengers with a level of comfort that is suitable," said the Murphysboro, N.C., native. "They've been standing at a bus stop where it was 125 degrees. They don't want to get into a bus that's hotter inside than it was outside. You can only run these machines for so long before they start giving out on you. Keeping them running in top condition with air conditioning is a big challenge. Our maintenance teams do a very good job of it."

Members of vehicle operations not only accept the challenges of the job, but most are very proud to do it.

"A lot of our people consider it an honor just to be able to support the warfighter and the Global War on Terror," said Mr. Vaughan. "It's not just the money. The people here take pride in what they do. It shows when they go out there and do what they do in spite of the extreme climate."

Gwen Crowder, of Killeen, Texas, is one of those. She assists in the vehicle dispatch office and is learning to drive every vehicle assigned to the section so she can be available when needed. She was here two years ago and couldn't wait to come back.

"I came back because I missed it," she said. "Everybody thinks I'm crazy, but I missed it. The most exciting part for me is doing the job, getting the mission done and taking care of the aircrews."

Carmen Phillips, a grandmother and a vehicle dispatcher also from Killeen, has been working here for three years and is really excited about her experience.

"For me it has just been the experience of working with the military," she said. "I like knowing that upon the completion of my tour I can share this experience with my grandchildren and my family. I'm very proud to be the first one of my generation to have worked in another country. I have a son-in-law in the military so being able to support the troops has really been a driving force for me."

Supporting the troops is also Ms. Jamero's driving force.

"I am a mother and grandmother and feel this is my contribution," said the Water Valley, Miss., native. "I wish there was more I could do. When I look at the faces of these young men and women, as they get off my bus to go to their aircraft, I try to make sure I acknowledge each one of them, to make sure I look into their faces and try to remember their names, so I can know if they make it back safely. I want the last thing they hear or see, to be a smiling face and a kind word. It is an honor to be here, to serve them and hope they know how much I appreciate their service and sacrifice daily."