Vehicle management flight keeps on truckin'

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron works on a government vehicle June 10, 2014, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The 52nd LRS Vehicle Management Flight manages more than 700 vehicles in the 52nd Fighter Wing fleet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

Vehicle management flight keeps on truckin'

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Randy Johnson, a 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron special purpose vehicle mechanic from Newark, Ohio, works to pull the motor from an aircraft-towing vehicle June 10, 2014, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The 52nd LRS Vehicle Management Flight’s mechanics perform routine tasks such as oil changes to complete engine repairs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

Vehicle management flight keeps on truckin'

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Garrett Goss, from Port Matilda, Pa., left, and Airman Christian Bell, from Montgomery, Ala., both 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle mechanics, work to replace a serpentine belt and water pump June 10, 2014, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. All government vehicles assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing come in for maintenance every 18 months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Nuckolls/Released)

TMO makes things go

Airmen from the 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron load the engine of an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft on the bed of a truck at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Feb. 25, 2014. Airmen from the 52nd LRS ship engines all around the world for both equipment rehabilitation and mission support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gustavo Castillo/Released)

TMO makes things go

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Frank Houdek, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron packing and crating specialist from Tucson, Ariz., secures a crate with metal bands at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Feb. 25, 2014. Traffic Management Office Airmen complete the banding process to ensure the crate will not fall apart during shipping. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gustavo Castillo/Released)

TMO makes things go

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Frank Houdek, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron packing and crating specialist from Tucson, Ariz., hammers down the edges of a crate at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Feb. 25, 2014. Traffic Management Office Airmen process and ship supplies ranging from nuts and bolts to aircraft wheels through their office every day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gustavo Castillo/Released)

52nd LRS ensures mission readiness

Published June 11, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Dylan Nuckolls
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEMAIR BASE, Germany -- Logistics - the things that must be done to plan and organize a complicated activity or event that involves many people.

This may just be a definition from Merriam-Webster, but the word means something much more significant to Saber Nation: Mission Success!

It's also the word the 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron's 450 personnel follow to keep the 52nd Fighter Wing running. And they do this by ensuring planes have fuel, squadrons have government vehicles and Airmen get the supplies they need to complete their jobs every day.

The 52nd LRS supports USAFE's busiest full-time, fighter and airlift mission airfield, according to Maj. Lee Holfert, 52nd LRS operations officer. The diverse squadron consists of 18 AFSCs controlling $548 million worth of assets spread out over 54 facilities on base.

"Our primary mission is to deploy the 52nd FW Air Expeditionary Forces, ensuring combat effectiveness to achieve United States and NATO objectives. While providing combatant commanders with motivated and highly trained personal, with the right equipment, to the right location, at the right time," said Chief Master Sgt. Jesse Schraner, 52nd LRS chief enlisted manager.

To best achieve that mission, the squadron is broken into four flights -- deployment and distribution, fuels management, materiel management and vehicle management.

The Deployment and Distribution Flight transports everything from distinguished visitors to cargo, ensuring everything arrives to where it is needed.

The Vehicle Management Flight manages more than 700 vehicles ranging from cars to trucks and vans.

Fueling everything from planes to GOV's, the Fuels Management Flight keeps things moving.

And the Materiel Management Flight processes orders from units on their supply requirements to receiving the material coming on base.

"The 52nd LRS, as a whole, is important because we are the backbone for deployments," said Senior Airman Dylan Jarnagin, 52nd LRS fuels distribution operator. "Whatever aircraft you leave on and the equipment that is used, fuels refill it. Whatever gear you need, supply makes sure you have it. Whenever a vehicle breaks down, vehicle maintenance repairs it. When you need bulk cargo, vehicle operations will get it to you."

And when units need a GOV or mechanics need a part for a plane, LRS stands ready to get what their customers need.

The squadrons dedication to the mission has also not gone unnoticed. The 52nd LRS won four unit or flight USAFE level awards in 2013 with several personnel winning individual awards for excellence.

"We take a lot of pride in the customer service we provide for the 52nd FW," Schraner said. "In the LRS we have a great group of folks; it's one of the best squadrons I have been in, in my 24 years. We have highly successful professionals which have been validated by all the awards."