England deployment provides total force initiative for LRS

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Nason
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., fuels section travelled across the Atlantic for its annual tour at RAF Mildenhall, England, July 15, 2013.

After 15 hours of travel from sunny Arizona, members from the Reserve unit shook off the jetlag and hit the ground running.

The arrival of the 944th LRS Airmen came at a critical time for the 100th LRS.

"They arrived at just the right moment, as we are minimally manned due to deployments," said Master Sgt. Carl Boswell, 100th LRS, NCOIC of Fuels, Training and Support. "Their assistance in the daily operations, with very minimal supervision, helps us out tremendously."

Every year each reservist performs a 15-day annual tour to increase working knowledge of their career field. This year the 944th LRS is working and training with 100th LRS fuels section, an active duty unit based at RAF Mildenhall, responsible for the fueling of a vast array of aircraft travelling through the base.

Running checkpoints on R-11 refueling trucks, assisting aircraft refueling operations and working in the area lab were just a few of the things the 944th Airmen were tasked with while assigned to the 100th LRS.

"They brought skills that were beneficial to the specific fuels functions at Mildenhall," stated Boswell.

In addition to filling critical gaps in manning during their time in England, training was a big priority. RAF Mildenhall is a very busy base for military flights running through Europe, 944th LRS members knew they would be given valuable training opportunities and their skills would be put to good use. Parked on the ramp at any given time are C-130, C-17, KC-135 and CV-22 airframes, amongst others, and all need to be fueled.

"We need to know how to work on all fuel systems, as we may come across them in a deployed environment and we are expected to be proficient, regardless of the airframe," said Master Sgt. Patrick Mahan, 944th LRS NCO in-charge of fuels.

The 944th LRS fuels Airmen were also able to view a rare mission for a logistics readiness squadron. RAF Mildenhall is home to just one of five bases that deploy specially trained fuels Airmen for Forward Air Refueling Point missions. A FARP gives commanders all over the world an opportunity to set up remote refueling stations to accomplish critical missions far from aerial refueling assets and large bases. This was an opportunity for the reservists to view a side of their career field not often seen.

It is apparent that the total force experience was beneficial for both the 944th LRS and 100th LRS fuels sections.

"The 944th LRS fuels Airmen are extremely eager and willing to assist in all areas needed. They have been a welcome asset to our mission," explained Bowsell.

From the 944th LRS side there was nothing but praise for their active duty counterparts.

"The 100th LRS fuels section has been accommodating, professional and most impressively, they are extremely motivated. It is obvious that they take their job very seriously," said Mahan.