England deployment provides total force initiative for LRS

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Nason
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona Fuels section travelled across the Atlantic for its annual tour at RAF Mildenhall, England, on 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 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. Their assistance in the daily operations, with very minimal supervision, helps us out tremendously," said Master Sgt. Carl Boswell, 100th LRS, NCOIC of Fuels, Training and Support.

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 out of RAF Mildenhall, responsible for the fueling of a vast array of aircraft travelling through the base.

Running checkpoint on R-11 refueling trucks, assisting aircraft refueling operations and working in the area lab were just a few of the things that the 944th Airmen were tasked with while assigned to the 100th LRS. Exceptional expertise and experience was evident to the host unit, "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. With RAF Mildenhall being a very busy base for military flights running through Europe, 944th members knew that they 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, NCOIC of Fuels.

The 944th Fuels Airmen were also able to view a rare mission for a LRS. The 100th LRS 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 and 100th Fuels sections. "The 944th 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 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.