LRS keeps wing supplied, rolling during exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kent Kagarise
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 442nd Fighter Wing's supply and transportation sections shared a table in the southeast corner of the five-bay hangar as the wing simulated war during the May 14 and 15 operational readiness exercise.

Senior Master Sgt. Shevaun McRoberts , 442nd Logistics Readiness Squadron supply superintendent, has many responsibilities inside her portion of the play area.

"We are here to supply aircraft and vehicle parts. In addition, we replace chemical gear, ship parts to other bases and take care of turn-ins on bad airplane parts after they've been replaced," Sergeant McRoberts said.

Throughout the ORE, Airmen received exercise-input notifications informing them of faulty equipment, ensuring a visit to Sergeant McRoberts and her troops.

"If the lot-number on their equipment matches the number on the card, they come here and see the person at the door who logs their name and squadron before they come see us to be issued the proper gear," Sergeant McRoberts said.

Sergeant McRoberts has been deployed to combat zones and is pleased to have the time to educate her Airmen who seldom receive this type of training during regular unit training assemblies. She said that the training is valuable and helps the individuals function better in a real combat theater.

"My people working here have been asking the inspectors a lot of questions and have displayed a willingness to learn, and the inspectors have been great," Sergeant McRoberts said.

In the midst of mission-oriented-protective-posture (MOPP) four, Senior Airman Rebecca Householder, 442nd FW Supply, prepared for the after effects of an attack.

"After an attack, they might need tires, a generator--really anything damaged or contaminated due to the enemy," Senior Airman Householder said.

Transportation Management worked shoulder to shoulder with supply on two tables in the five-bay and coordinated many of their tasks as needed.

"There's a lot of communication back and forth so we can prepare for what's coming our way, as well as assisting each other with accountability," said Master Sergeant Erich Vongretzinger, 442nd LRS transportation management.

Sergeant Vongretzinger explained that he and his Airmen process classified and hazardous shipments under wartime conditions, as well as the remains of those killed in action.

"Even in MOPP four, following an attack, we are preparing to hear about casualties, It's hectic," he said. "We gotta stay on our toes because the inspectors are throwing a lot at us."

In the span of an hour, the supply and transportation sections treated an Airman with an impaled eye, further complicated by her going into shock; a computer virus; a broken leg; a sucking chest wound on yet a third "victim;" and then assisted medical personnel with a couple real-world, heat-related medical emergencies.

"When the real-world stuff started, that's when I really started to sweat," Sergeant Vongretzinger said. "It's hot out here and the safety of our Airmen comes first."

One of Sergeant Vongretzinger's Airmen is Senior Airman Rebekah Underwood, who said it was kind of fun to play war games and felt it had been good training.

Alongside Airman Underwood in transportation, was Senior Airman Sonya Jackson.

"It's really scary to think this could be real someday but it helps to know I'll be prepared when that day comes," Senior Airman Jackson said.

War comes with huge challenges, many of which are tackled by 442nd LRS Airmen who provide the material and equipment needed to prevail and also the transportation troops who bring those things to the not so playful "play" area.