Commentary: Transport saviors

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England- --  With my wife using her car for work and my car recently finding itself in the junkyard, I was finding it a little difficult to find a way to my medical appointment.

Last week, while speaking to the chief of the 100th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center about a work project, I received information about a medical program the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Operations Control Center offers.

I decided to look a little more into it.

After further investigation, I learned that though there isn't a medical transport system, there is a taxi service that can be used for "official business only."

Though it might seem small, I was pretty relieved when the vehicle operations customer service informed me that my official appointment qualified. However, they did stress that the point of this service is dependent on a first-come, first-serve basis and manning capabilities. This service is not a ride to work, and people should not expect to use it as such.

On the day of my appointment, I made a quick call to vehicle operations control center and aranged an appointment to be picked up and taken to my appointment. After a ride over to RAF Lakenheath with a polite driver, I was good to go. After I finished my appointment, a quick call had a driver there to pick me up and take me back to RAF Mildenhall.

"It's all about keeping the mission going," said Tech. Sgt. Felicia Doss-Curtis, 100th LRS Vehicle Operation Control Center support supervisor. "Whether it's getting the aircrew to the flightline or a member to a medical or legal appointment; it all takes us one more step closer to completing the mission."

Though vehicle operations control center does offer this convenient service, it is limited to active-duty personnel only. They also require that the active-duty member have an official appointment scheduled and ask that members schedule their ride a minimum of three hours in advance, said Doss-Curtis.

So if you find yourself without means of transportation to an official appointment, then give vehicle operations a call and get a little assistance for free.

For more information, or to book a ride for an official appointment only, call DSN 238-2339.