Kadena Air Base, Japan -- Citizen Airmen from the 927th Logistics Readiness Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, traveled to Kadena Air Base, Japan, August 3 to maintain their mission ready status.
Unlike active duty military, traditional reservists only have one weekend per month and two weeks per year to stay current on all training requirements to be considered mission ready and deployable for worldwide taskings.
“The UTA [Unit training assembly] allows great training opportunities for us to perform our operational mission, but when we are able to be apart from the distractions at MacDill and be completely encompassed in a new and different operation, it provides a whole new level of training for our troops,” said Lt. Col. Meredith Seeley, 927th LRS commander. “The training here is on a completely different scale, different airframes and a completely different operational mission.”
To create a seamless force, much of the training, systems and procedures are common throughout the U.S. Air Force, however, some tasks vary from base to base. For example, the 927th Traffic Management Office, accompanied their active duty counterparts to the Aja Port, Japan, to transport a shipment of R-11 Refueler trucks.
“I have been in the Military for over 20 years, and this is the first time I have had the opportunity to observe and participate in the shipping of cargo from a port,” said Master Sgt. Thomas Berger 927 TMO technician. The active duty Airmen here have been great and have really made us feel as if we are part of the team, for myself and the rest of us this is invaluable training.”
The training and sharing of best practices flows both ways, as seasoned semi tractor and trailer operators, Citizen Airmen from the 927th Vehicle Operations Flight paired up with newly minted active duty Airmen to train them in the safe operation of semi tractor and trailers.
“For Sergeant [Staff Sgt. Eduardo] Flores [927LRS vehicle operator] to take the time to train me is awesome,” said Airman 1stClass Jeremy Yuvienco, 18th LRS Vehicle Operations Flight, operator. “I only have 23 hours behind the wheel, so I’ll take every opportunity I can to get behind the wheel. The more I drive, the sooner I’ll have my license and the sooner I’ll get to go on runs.”
The Citizen Airmen are only halfway into their two-week long annual training tour and have been leaving their mark.
“I am so proud of you, I have heard nothing but great things,” said Master Sgt. Christine Loukadakia 927 LRS first sergeant. “You guys are embracing the TFI [Total Force Integration] concept and running with it, you’re working side by side your active duty counter parts and becoming a seamless part of the team. Keep it up…Hooar.”