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Squadron brings fuel to the fight through seamless operations

US Air Forces Europe News

Release Date: 11/12/2003

By 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Culbertson 39th Air Base Group Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE GROUP, Turkey (USAFENS) -- When something is moved, stored, distributed, deployed or received on base, the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron is involved.

As the organization responsible for executing war readiness, transportation, supply and fuels support, the squadron has a hand in almost every facet of base operations.

The 39th LRS is comprised of the distribution, fuels management, management and systems, readiness, vehicle management and traffic management flights. The cooperation and teamwork of all flights is the key to the squadron's success, said Capt. Mike "Nitro" Nigro, 39th Logistics Squadron operations officer.

"When the Air Force reorganized its basic wing structure, LRS evolved from the merger of two distinct squadrons while incorporating a very important planning and programming function," he said. "Constant cross-coordination between flights and other base agencies is vital to seamless LRS operations."

The flights encompass a wide variety of missions. The distribution flight, for example, is the only U.S. Air Forces in Europe cargo movement operation delivering cargo to the Air Mobility Command. The readiness flight manages $2 million in mobility bag assets. The traffic management flight assists people at five geographically separated units.

Due to the possibility of Turkish strikes, Incirlik also has the only remaining Air Force base service store, run by the management and systems flight, with an inventory worth approximately $575,000.

One mission the flights share is supporting operations downrange.

"The squadron continues its support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom," said Nigro. "Because of our unique location and situation, the squadron flexes and adapts to meet any and all new requirements, whether those requirements are here or downrange."

The organization supports rotating flying units, redeploying cargo, coordinating fuel truck fills for direct OIF support, arranging travel for OIF and OEF passengers and maintaining vehicles deployed downrange.

"Our vehicle operations and maintenance flight is incredible . they continually post the best 'in commission' rates in USAFE," Nigro said.

And where there's flying, there has to be fuel, said Capt. Derek Harris, 39th LRS Fuels Management Flight commander.

"We make agile combat support a reality . without fuel, planes don't fly and maintaining air superiority is hard to do from the ground," said Harris.

The squadron also faces numerous challenges unique to Turkey. For example, the Yumurtalik Sea Terminal, with its 27-mile pipe line, is supported by personnel, equipment and funding from the 39th LRS. Border clearance for resources can be an issue to overcome, as can inconsistent rules for transporting parts and equipment. Organizing support for GSUs also takes the squadron's careful coordination.

"The 39th LRS has great talent and leaders. [The squadron] strives to stay sharp as we enter the next phase of Incirlik's mission, whatever that may be," said Nigro.

Applying the spirit of "We ready!" in everything they do, LRS squadron members are poised for whatever contingencies may arise in the future, said Harris.

"Our people possess a wealth of experience and expertise," he said. "The mission we perform in supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan makes us unique."