HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah The 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron is home to more than 100 reservists who oversee a mass of resources to keep Air Force personnel and equipment moving anywhere they are needed.
“Logistics touches every aspect of the Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Justin Crump, 419th LRS commander. “We are responsible for controlling, planning, and executing all wing deployment operations, distribution of cargo, passengers, and personal property.”
In addition to overseeing all wing deployments, LRS is responsible for stocking, storing, and issuing supplies and equipment. The fuels management flight ensures quality petroleum products, cryogenics fluids, and missile propellants are issued safely, and the vehicle management flight acts as the single authority for maintenance and management of the wing’s motor vehicles.
“It can sometimes be a daunting task to cover such a large area of responsibility,” Crump said. “But every one of our Airmen always step up to not only meet, but exceed the mission requirements and expectations.”
The various LRS shops work together to provide behind-the-scenes expertise and keep the wing and its Airmen ready at all times.
“The LRS functions a lot like a civilian airport in that we manage the fueling of the jets, as well as coordinating transportation for passengers and cargo,” said Maj. Brian Bennion, operations officer. “We process the passengers and properly package all cargo. We also manage the mechanic shop for buses, firetrucks, and forklifts.”
Nearly 96 percent of the squadron’s Airmen are traditional reservists, meaning they train one weekend a month and two weeks a year, but maintain the same competency and readiness standards as the active duty. LRS personnel, or “loggies,” cram a lot of training into a short amount of time and gain experience in a wide array of logistics fields.
“My favorite part of the job is being up close to all the different types of aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Bingham, fuels craftsman. “I have been around Army, Navy, and Marine aircraft and have issued fuel to foreign planes that came to the United States for training. It’s amazing to work with so many aircraft.”
Over the past five years, the 419th LRS has been recognized with the Air Force’s Outstanding Unit Award five times. The fuels management flight was named best fuels flight in Air Force Reserve Command two times in the last three years. And last year, two members were recognized as the Outstanding Logistics Readiness Airman of the Year and the Outstanding Logistics Readiness Company Grade Officer of the Year.
