Logistics Readiness Squadron features an "open house"

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Becky Vanshur
  • 124th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
GOWEN FIELD, Idaho - It was not your typical "open house" where you would find property for sale. Instead, the Logistics Readiness Squadron's goal was to showcase their customer-focused services and logistical support for the 124th Fighter Wing's over-all mission.

Thursday morning, June 13, a group of Guardsmen gathered at Gowen Field's base supply warehouse, eager to learn about the mission of the 124th Logistic Readiness Squadron (LRS). This was the first "open house" for LRS, but you can expect to find more displays like this one, by the entire 124th Mission Support Group.

By holding this open house, LRS hoped to accomplish a couple things. "It's a chance for us to let the wing know what services we provide and for Airmen to gain familiarity with these services," said Lt. Col. Linda Schneider, Commander of the 124th LRS.

It also provides Guardsmen a look at any recent changes or future changes that might affect the mission. "In 2011 we replaced the 1940's below-ground pipeline with new above-ground pipeline, making us one of the only three Air National Guard units to receive the JP-8 fuel from pipeline in the Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) shop," Schneider said.

"And in the near future, we will convert from the JP-8 fuel to Jet A fuel," she added.

During the "open house" Guardsmen learned about the different sections. Distribution, one section of the LRS, includes transportation, planning and vehicle operations; vehicle maintenance, POL, and supply are the other sections.

It is easy to think of supply and relate it to the place Airmen go for uniforms, but base supply is responsible for all wing mobility assets and managing all Air Force authorized equipment on Gowen Field.

Master Sgt. David Dick is the equipment manager for supply's tracker serial number system and his section ensures 100% equipment accountability for more than 76 shops and over 100 million dollars in equipment.

Dick showcased the hand-held tracking terminals and explained the system's upgraded blue-tooth capabilities using live common access card readers to upload to the internet. The system makes it more accountable for deploying equipment, vehicles and weapons by scanning it prior to leaving and then scanning upon arrival, virtually collecting the record of data.

Recently the Gowen Field base gas station, managed by LRS, was undergoing construction; the POL's fuels shop had a temporary diesel gas station, set in the fuel yard, to support all Army and Air ground diesel fuel.

"The LRS manages a fuel farm with a capacity of over 600 thousand gallons of JP-8 fuel. POL samples and tests all JP-8 and diesel fuel, ensuring only top quality clean dry, filtered fuel," said Schneider.

The Logistics Readiness Squadron has close to 77 Guardsmen providing an abundant amount of services to Airmen in the Idaho Air National Guard; manages and repairs a fleet of 119 vehicles at the 266th Range Squadron and manages and repairs 183 vehicles at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho.