An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

AUAB ready to support increased transient personnel

  • Published
  • By 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --  As one of the main personnel, supply and transportation hubs in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, Al Udeid will support an increase of transient personnel over the next few weeks here.

Al Udeid is a transportation hub because it is designated by U.S. Transportation Command as a strategic location for personnel and cargo to move throughout the region.

“We’ve processed approximately 1,500 personnel through the aerial port of debarkation over the last few weeks and expect to see more through May,” said Lt. Col. Todd Jensen, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. “Our goal is to minimize the dwell time of all transient passengers, whether that means heading further downrange or back to home station. In either case, we’d like to get them moving in 72 hours or less.”

More personnel on base means increased traffic around the Coalition Compound for lodging, dining facilities, base gyms and other recreational areas.

“Managing personnel surges is standard business for us. We’re accustomed to the surges and we find appropriate lodging for all transient personnel. No one goes without a bed,” said Lt. Col. Kimberly Boehm, 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander. “As far as lodging is concerned, for most servicemembers assigned to Al Udeid, there should be little to no impact except as a last resort.”

The next step for most transient personnel after they find a warm bed is the search for good food.

“Our warehouse is always stocked, so we won’t experience any lack of food,” said Boehm. “Although there will definitely not be any shortages, there may be slight changes to availability of certain items.”

Both assigned and transient personnel should expect longer wait times at Finance.

"It's typical for Finance to experience increased requests for Eagle Cash cards from transient personnel since some of our recreational facilities require this form of payment and some people just want to get their cards before they forward deploy," said Maj. Edith Coon, 379th Expeditionary Comptroller Squadron commander. "We also have increased pay entitlements questions. We really appreciate our customers' patience during surges and do our best to provide efficient customer service."

In addition to using the recreational facilities, many personnel pass their time here at the gym.

“The fitness centers are one of the more popular facilities used by transient personnel which unfortunately means during transient months they are crowded,” said Boehm. “To help mitigate the crowds and accommodate different work schedules the BPC and CC fitness centers are open 24 hours a day.”

Most agencies here are prepared for additional personnel during these time periods throughout the year but it’s important to remember the increase is only temporary and things should calm down within the next couple of weeks.