EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- From midnight pick-ups to early morning drop-offs and everything in-between, vehicle operators from the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron stay busy during RED FLAG-Alaska exercises.
Airman Donovan Stewart, a 354th LRS vehicle operator, was most recently hand-picked to drive distinguished visitors during their stay at Eielson.
“We do everything from picking them up at the airport to bringing them to dinner, unless it’s more efficient for them to drive themselves, in which case we provide them a vehicle” said Stewart. “We drive them wherever they need to be.”
Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Warrant Officer Katsumi Yamazaki, the senior enlisted advisor to the JASDF, visited with Chief Master Sgts. Harold Hutchison and Terrence Greene. The visit was one for the history books as it was the first time a senior enlisted leader with the JASDF was able to interact with their airmen during an actual exercise.
“I only found out I was selected to drive a couple days prior when I started preparing for the drive,” said Stewart. “I truly enjoy meeting foreign nationals and learning about all of their different cultures and building those relationships.”
Stewart does more than just chauffeur DV’s around; he also provides transportation for aircrew and equipment, which is an essential part of the vehicle operations mission during RF-A.
Staff Sgt. Jonathon Broidrick, the 354th NCO in charge of vehicle operations support, explained a lot of work goes into preparing for the RF-A exercises.
“One piece is ensuring we coordinate with vehicle management and have all our vehicles’ maintenance up-to-date,” said Broidrick. “We also contact the vehicle control officers of each unit to make sure they have the vehicles assigned to them they need for their missions.”
Broidrick also explained all cargo that makes its way onto the installation will go through the vehicle operations personnel and they will transport it to its destination on base.
“We have things called MICAPs, or mission capables,” explained Stewart. “Basically its things that are needed right then, or equipment that’s needed if something breaks. We deliver all across the base.”
The biggest challenge vehicles operators’ face is the workload. Broidrick explained their workloads double and almost triple during RF-A exercises, but they make it all come together.
“The success of RF-A is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the vehicle operations Airmen,” said Broidrick.