Logistical Readiness Squadron ramps up for Red Flag

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. John Hughel
  • 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
PORTLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ore. --  Airmen from the 142nd Fighter Wing Logistics Readiness Squadron were busy last week, moving about 130 Airmen and over 75,000 pounds of cargo as they supported the Red Flag exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nev.

Four C-130 Hercules aircraft from Kentucky, Alaska, North Carolina, and Texas helped move the necessary equipment needed for the two-week training. For the exercise, 10 F-15 Eagles flew from Portland to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to participate in Red Flag.

The Logistic Readiness Squadron [LRS] first began screening unit members nearly 120 days in advance and assembled packages to have a full-team in place for the 2014 exercise.

"It has been two years since our unit was at Red Flag, so we know what goes into the weeks of planning," said Senior Master Sgt. Pam Pittman, the acting IDO for the 142nd Logistical Readiness Squadron.

Pittman and Master Sgt. Anne Kyle, a logistic planner with the 142nd LRS, spend several weeks prior to departure getting everyone prepared for the exercise.

With numerous teams coming into Nellis for Red Flag, logistical support is vital to maintain the flow of aircraft and participants during the two-week exercise window for the 142nd members.

"Getting people and the aircraft out the door, and on time is the goal," said Pittman.

The participants attending Red Flag are the Wing's pilots, maintainers and operational support teams. As the exercise winds down, a redeployment group made up of finance and logistical support members will travel to Las Vegas to assist the members back to Portland.

Kyle, along with Tech. Sgt. Michael Morris, will arrive at Nellis in the final four days as part of the Redeployment Assistance Team. A dedicated support center at Nellis is set up to handle the volume and frequency for these Red Flag events, as many units come in and out of the base.

"They are always happy to have us, and the system that is set up at Nellis makes it easy to get in and out of there," said Kyle.

As the 142nd Fighter Wing is entering their Air Force Expeditionary window, the preparation for Red Flag helps members of the LRS prepare for other deployment situations.

Later in March, members from the Wing will travel to Alaska for a Vigilant Guard exercise and 28 members from the Civil Engineer Squadron will be leaving to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

"We have so many of our people heading out for different places and missions right now," said Kyle.