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Released: March 27, 2003
Supply lines keep sorties rolling
By Staff Sgt. Jim Fisher
457th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (ACCNS) -- B-52s keep rolling down the runway at this
deployed location, carrying the fight and firepower to the dying Iraqi regime.
As the operators and maintainers of the 457th Air Expeditionary Group keep the
Buffs flying, having parts and equipment available is critical.
"The relationship between maintenance and supply is very important. We work
hand in hand to make the mission happen," said Senior Master Sgt. Bill Bivins,
the production superintendent for the 5th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron
here.
Unlike the setup at home station, the flightline supply element is configured
for combat. The section is located in the maintenance complex to deliver parts
to the aircraft without delay, said Master Sgt. Tracie Reece, the flightline
supply superintendent .
"We're right here with them. It makes it easy," she said.
When a part is needed, maintainers go to the section's Combat Oriented Supply
Organization representatives. The "COSOs" then search the inventory of nearly
1,800 parts on hand and submit documentation.
"They bring us the document, it's processed and the part is on its way to the
aircraft - all within the span of five minutes or less," Sergeant Reece said.
The supply section has more than $81 million worth of inventory ready for the
fleet of Buffs deployed here. They replenish the inventory by reaching back to
stateside depots, or home stations for replacements.
There are some parts or equipment not contained in the 1,795-piece inventory,
Sergeant Reece said. Additional items may be controlled by maintenance or
ordered direct from the depot. Requirements for aircraft engaged in combat
operations, like the B-52s here, have top priority.
Still, the flightline supply team has relied upon improvisation and tenacity
to keep things moving, she said. The supply troops have set up a supply
computer system and made adjustments to accommodate the increasing number of
incoming items to stay on top of the in-country delivery process.
"Getting the action parts process rolling took a bit of ironing out, but now
it's running great," Sergeant Reese said. "Everyday we find something we can
improve on due to the nature of operating in a contingency environment."
The large number of customers is also very demanding, said Senior Airman
Nichole Howard, one of two COSO representatives here. The relationship between
the 124 maintainers and two COSO representatives is one of teamwork and
camaraderie, she said.
"They need the parts to keep the aircraft flying. I now see the bigger
picture. I see how we have an essential role," she said.
While supply exists to support maintenance and the flying mission, they've
also been on the receiving end of a lot of assistance from their maintenance
counterparts.
"They've been awesome supporting us from day one," Sergeant Reece said.
"Without their help, we'd be struggling."
Instead, the availability of parts is immediate and as the supply lines keep
flowing. So do the sorties.
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