Team Mildenhall ensures deployment success

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Team Mildenhall's focus is now firmly placed on ensuring deployers have a clear exit path. To make this happen, the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron trained both new and existing unit deployment managers on how to assist deploying service members quickly and professionally.

"The UDM course was very helpful in helping new personnel--who have never done anything like this before--really understand all the details of what and why the deployment process is how it is," said Tech. Sgt. Keith Skulimoski, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron prime base engineer emergency force manager from Pemberton Township, N.J. "The instructor, (Airman 1st Class Danielle Swann, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Wing Deployments technician,) was open to feedback on what needs to be done to help improve the course."

The day-long training was broken down into sections, each with a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

One point often stressed is the importance of the UDM position.

"The Installation Deployment Readiness Cell is actively working to improve our processes and our training with hopes of (providing) a better understanding for UDMs and commanders," said Tech. Sgt. LaTanza Meabon-Whiteside, 100th LRS Deployment Operations NCO in charge from Colt, Ark. "Our process greatly depends on proactive UDMs and supportive commanders."

Deployment-related acronyms, definitions and guidance were identified and discussed prior to any UDM-specific training. Afterward, instructors stressed the importance of documentation to deploying service members.

"As the focal point for wing deployments and exercises, we have to be well-informed and continuously develop a rapport with our UDMs," said Tech. Sgt. Roderick Brown, 100th LRS Plans and Programs NCO in charge from Little Rock, Ark. "Involving them in the process ensures the wing is postured for success ... every time!"

Air transportation was another briefing topic which helped UDMs gain perspective and knowledge on properly preparing their cargo, whether for an exercise or a real-world deployment.

Aerial port terminal and the traffic management office portions detailed everything from the booking process, weapons and baggage rules, to the chain of communication while coordinating travel.

Readiness was another key element explained to UDMs.

"Readiness is important for UDMs to understand in order to prevent issues with their programs and to assist them in their roles and responsibilities," said Staff Sgt. Kelly Davis, 100th LRS Plans and Programs assistant NCO in charge from Brunswick, Maine. "The UDMs play a big part in the deployment process and utilize a number of different systems to accomplish their mission. Being the managers of that process and being the subject matter experts of logistics module and air and space expeditionary force reporting-tool systems, we are in charge of providing them with the knowledge they require to be successful."

Once the UDMs were briefed on the importance of readiness, the training then focused on the deployment process.

"The UDMs need to have a very close rapport with their commanders since they are the focal point when dealing with their units' deployment-related events. Without a close relationship, the process is doomed to fail in some aspect," Meabon-Whiteside said.

Trainers stressed the importance of getting the name of the deployer in the system within the allotted timeframe.

"Manpower's role in the deployment process is critical because we verify each position going downrange to ensure the correct unit, Air Force Specialty Code, skill-level, and any special experience our war planners require to support our combatant-commanders mission," said Master Sgt. Lonnie Martin, 100th Force Support Squadron manpower analyst from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, when teaching the next section of the training.

The training, while intensive, served a critical role in ensuring Team Mildenhall deployers are prepared and ready to move. By ensuring the UDMs are trained proficiently, Team Mildenhall guarantees that deployers have what they need when they leave here for their new location.

"This was my second time attending the training, but this class was better structured and went further into depth to explain each of the processes a UDM deals with on a daily basis," said Staff Sgt. Michael McBee, 727th Air Mobility Squadron unit security manager from Garden City, Mich. "The UDMs main goal is to ensure personnel are trained in a certain timeframe, are up to date with their medical requirements, and take care of all the administrative functions for personnel and logistical items to ensure they are ready for deployment for either peacetime or wartime missions."

By looking at processes already in place and finding ways to routinely perfect them, the 100th LRS is better able to identify deployers needs, get necessary equipment paired with deployments taskings and allow people and assets to get to their desired location with as few hurdles to overcome as possible.

"The IDRC team is constantly striving to better our processes. The more we look at how we do business, the better we get," Brown said.