JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON -- The joint base concept is in full swing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as the 773d Logistics Readiness Squadron supports the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
The Joint Mobility Center, a large warehouse-style building situated on the flightline at JBER, was exceptionally active the past Labor Day weekend as 773d LRS Airmen and 4/25 IBCT (ABN) Soldiers worked side-by-side to ensure all of the Spartan Brigade equipment and Soldiers leave fully prepared.
“We practice like we play, the fact that we are playing now and can support the combatant commander with all of this inspection-ready equipment without any issue, gives us pride knowing we can support anyone at a moment’s notice,” said Art Heaphy, 773d LRS, Deployments Flight chief. “Meanwhile, my co-flight (vehicle operations) has done an amazing job over the past few weeks ensuring that we get thousands of Soldiers from the assembly point to the JMC to jump and back. It’s a team effort, and we couldn’t do it without them.”
For many 773d LRS Airmen, the reward is in the hard work.
“It’s pretty awesome knowing we are a part of the larger mission,” said Airman 1st Class Earl Greene, 773d LRS, vehicle operator. “At times we can get lost in our normal day-to-day work, but this support makes it worth it.”
This team effort extends itself far beyond squadron cohesion as their relationship with the Army is essential to their mission success.
“We are responsible for all of the Army’s transportation needs at JBER, so we take great pride in knowing all of their equipment is properly processed so it can get to where it needs to be,” said John Kim, 773d LRS Mobility Control Center team lead. “Our joint operability with the 4/25 is extremely good, they had a need, so we did our jobs, and now they are able to do theirs where it matters.”
“From my perspective, supporting a movement like this solidifies our processes, techniques, tactics and it shows that the joint base set up is really working for us,” said Lillington.
The impression the Soldiers of the Spartan Brigade left by many 773d LRS Airmen seems consistent in the thoughts of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Sandre Lillington, 773d LRS installation deployment training supervisor.
“I would describe their professionalism in one word, dedicated,” said Lillington. “They followed all the directions, offered help wherever they could, and were very receptive to feedback.”
This dedication was shown to many over the Labor Day weekend.
“While a lot of classified material was being processed, we had to have Soldiers watch that material around the clock,” said Lillington. “They set up tents and just camped out over the four-day weekend. Not one of them ever complained.”
The appreciation of the Soldiers of the 4/25 IBCT (ABN) isn’t just in their work ethic but in the mission they are about to do.
“I’ve been to where the 4/25 is going and understand the sacrifice and hard work they have in front of them,” said Lillington. “We don’t send big movements to warzones everyday but being apart of this one has really helped me and many of my coworkers appreciate the importance of what we do.”
“These relationships we build with them really identify the spirit of the joint base.”