What do you know about Logistics?

The Deployment and Distribution Flight provides the movement piece of my earlier definition, but that’s a very small piece of what these Airmen do. The deployment aspect of this flight is accomplished through the Installation Deployment Readiness Cell, responsible for coordinating the training and equipping of every deploying Team BLAZE Airman through each squadron’s Unit Deployment Manager. We track their readiness and monitor their status throughout their deployments until they return and are reintegrated back into the home mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Elizabeth Owens)

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What do you know about Logistics?

The distribution element is responsible for coordinating personal property moves, so when you are going through a permanent change of station, you’ll be visiting the Traffic Management Office to assist you. This element also receives and sends equipment and supplies into and out of the base, most notably T-38C Talon aircraft parts and engines. The distribution of assets on the installation is accomplished by ground transportation’s material handling and heavy equipment operators, who also provide passenger transportation to our pilots as well as distinguished visitors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj Dennis Widner)

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What do you know about Logistics?

The Vehicle Management Flight works closely with ground transportation as well as each unit’s Vehicle Control Officer to ensure proper accountability and maintenance of the base vehicle fleet. They are responsible for monitoring official use, mileage, rotation and vehicle refueling activities. The Automotive Service Excellence certified technicians work diligently to keep the diverse fleet on the road. There’s also a refueler maintenance section that specifically works with Olgoonik Federal, the fuels contractor, to ensure they can keep our aircraft flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Scott Schlosser)

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What do you know about Logistics?

The Fuels Management Flight is contracted through Defense Logistics Agency-Energy, but the responsibility still lies with the 14th LRS to act as the Contracting Officer’s Representative. You’ll see the “big green trucks” whenever the flight line is open. The fuels credo is to provide “clean, dry fuel” to the aircraft, meaning no foreign particulates that could clog the fuel lines or any liquid that may freeze and do the same. These fuels professionals also receive and store the fuel prior to issuing it to the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Scott Schlosser)

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What do you know about Logistics?

The Materiel Management Flight is also affectionately known as supply. These Airmen store and issue parts and equipment, chemical warfare gear, weapons, as well as flying and deployment gear among other items. They also work with every unit on the installation to ensure proper accountability of equipment and management of their respective accounts. At Columbus AFB, our supply personnel specifically supply parts for T-38C aircraft and are in constant coordination with external agencies to ensure we are receiving adequate and timely parts, as well as working internally to ensure the timely exchange of parts and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Richard Twinning)

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What do you know about Logistics?

If you look closely, you’ll see a logistician’s fingerprint on every part of our mission. Your 14th LRS professionals work tirelessly to ensure you and/or your loved ones have the equipment, supplies and support required to accomplish the mission in a safe and timely manner. Whether you hear, “if we ain’t rollin’…you ain’t goin’, can’t fly without supply, or without fuel…pilots are pedestrians”, just know we’re here to facilitate the mission and your mission is our mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Chan Johnson)

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What do you know about Logistics?

Published March 22, 2019
By Maj. Dennis Widner
14th Logistics Readiness Squadron

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- When asked what I do in the Air Force, I usually respond, “I’m a logistician”, then I generally get the follow-up question of, “Oh, what is that?”

It’s a great question, but quite difficult to answer. I usually give a simple answer, “We move people and stuff”. Upon giving this more thought I realized I’m really short changing what we do, as logisticians are involved in every aspect of the 14th Flying Training Wing’s mission.

The 14th Logistics Readiness Squadron is involved across the base through our Deployment and Distribution, Vehicle Management, Fuels Management and Materiel Management Flights. I’ll do my best to provide you a better explanation through an overview of our responsibilities.