FEATURES

IDC helps Airmen prepare for deployment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jake Carter
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  With Nellis and Creech AFBs being a high-operations tempo bases, both installations see a large contingency of Airmen deploy throughout the year from all units around the bases.

The 99th Logistic Readiness Squadron's installation deployment center personnel are always ready to support Airmen who are about to deploy.

"The mission of the deployment center is to notify units when a tasking is received from (Air Combat Command) to support combatant commanders. The individual units receive the tasking and provide the names or shortfall paperwork to the deployment center," said Joel Doran, 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer for Nellis and Creech AFBs, and the Nevada Test and Training Range. "Installation Personnel Readiness Airmen also track the personnel returning by having the unit deployment managers notify them when personnel return so they can change their duty status in (Military Personnel Data System).

"Each year, between 1,500 and 2,000 Airmen process through the deployment center, including members of the 99th, 57th, 53rd, 505th, 432nd and 23rd Wings, the 820th RED HORSE, and all additional tenant personnel deploying," Doran said.

UDMs at Nellis initiate contact with Airmen that are scheduled to deploy by giving them the proper tools to achieve 100 percent pre-deployment requirements before they are able to leave.

"My responsibility to all personnel on a daily basis is to remind and ensure all required training and personal documents are current at all times and/or reflect changes as family/individual status changes occur," said Jeri Cooper, 99th Comptroller Squadron and Wing Staff Agencies UDM. "Prior to personnel entering their AEF Cycle I'm required to have them accomplish their pre-deployment training and turn it in, so once selected for deployment I brief them on their requirements, make sure they have all pertinent information, have them accomplish additional computer-based training required for deployment, schedule them for all hands-on training such as weapons firing, chemical warfare, pre-deployment briefs, and any additional training required locally."

Before Nellis and Creech AFB Airmen deploy, they must process through the IDC's deployment line, where they receive vital information and equipment that is necessary for wherever they will deploy.

"The deploying Airmen receive minimal equipment from Nellis AFB because the majority go to locations that have Expeditionary Theater Distribution Centers where they receive their cold-weather B-Bags and their chemical C-Bags," Doran said. "The majority also do not hand carry weapons as most are pre-staged at the forward locations. Every Airman receives a modified A-Bag, which includes web belt, canteen, helmet, and any additional equipment identified in their respective reporting instructions."

With the activity at the deployment center, the section runs efficiently despite being undermanned, which consists of one officer, three enlisted, and one civilian; and the Installation Personnel Readiness section consists of three enlisted and one civilian.

"The deployment center is a busy place, as we see deploying members multiple times and the current (Air Expeditionary Forces) periods provide a focused deployment for personnel instead of spreading them throughout the year," Doran said. "The unit deployment managers are the key to the success of the deployment center in meeting suspense and identifying shortfalls."