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20th LRS packs away savings

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron has implemented a new cargo deployment process that calls for a more fiscally-effective standardized system and a reduction in augmentee duty.

Augmentee duty for the cargo deployment facility used to require the participation of all squadrons on base, when called upon.

With our new plan, however, we have cut the required augmentee pool to just the LRS, and necessary manning by approximately 50 percent, said Tech. Sgt. Jacob Graves, 20th LRS deployment instructor.

Cutting down the required manning, tightening up protocol and educating Airmen ultimately helps the Air Force save money and time, Graves continued.

In addition to problems stateside, the old CDF program caused problems for many units in deployed locations as well. The program did not meet the compliance standards of the Air Mobility Command (approving officials) and units were often held back to re-accomplish the task (re-building and re-loading pallets), which cost money, Graves explained.

However, the new CDF process educates all Airmen on proper pallet building and loading procedures, said Master Sgt. Michael Zimmerman, 20th LRS NCO in charge of the small air terminal. By doing this, it ensures that units that deploy have an easy, clear-cut method to consistently reach AMC standards, which ultimately saves money and time.

With this new program in place, the Air Force can more swiftly and effectively apply air superiority over vast distances within days, Zimmerman explained. This program helps the USAF as a whole by ensuring deploying units have the knowledge necessary to be air mobile. All other Department of Defense components have mastered these skills for years.

We're very excited about this change, Graves said. We've already seen a change in motivation and participation from within.