ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- When Robins Air Force Base Airmen prepare for deployment, they all must stop by the 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Individual Protective Equipment Element.
“This is where they pick up their individual protective equipment,” said Terry Walker, 78th LRS materiel handler. “They’ll either see me or Christie Williams to give them the gear needed to be safe downrange.”
Gear, which consists of items like, protective posture equipment along with helmets, small arms, and flak vests.
“Airmen really rely on us to give them the right gear and to make sure it is ready for use,” said Tamika White, 78th LRS Asset Management Section chief. “Having the right gear can mean the difference between life or death. We also make sure all gear is current, up to code, and tested to make sure it are as safe as possible.”
According to Lautrice Gray, 78th LRS Materiel Management Flight chief, the IPE maintains and issues $5.2 million worth of chemical warfare defense equipment.
The 78th LRS Materiel Management Flight consists of three sections: Asset Management, Maintenance Support and Customer Service Support.
In all, the trio works to ensure installation personnel have the supplies needed to complete their missions.
This means they are responsible for shipping, stocking, storing, issuing, returning, repair cycle, inventorying, and inspecting base supplies, which also includes munitions, and fuels.
“In regards to customer service, we make sure items get to where they need to be in a timely fashion,” said Gray. “We keep track of government high dollar value assets for 280 accounts or customers on base. The equipment accounts total approximately $1.05 billion. We make sure everything is accounted for. We provide 24/7 logistics support to aid the warfighter day or night.”