Features

86 MMS partnership deploys 3.5 million pounds of cargo during Afghanistan operations

Story and photos by Senior Airman Taylor Slater
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
October 22, 2021

The 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron and the Warehouses Service Agency, a Luxembourg government-established service organization, deployed 3.5 million pounds of war reserve material, valued at over $34.1 million, to Ramstein Air Base, during operations supporting the Afghanistan evacuation.

Members of the U.S. Air Force and Warehouses Service Agency pose for a photo at the Central Region Storage Facility in Sanem, Luxembourg, Oct. 12. The 86th Material Maintenance Squadron has deployed over 3.5 million pounds of war reserve materiel, valued at over $34.1 million, to Ramstein Air Base, Germany in support of operations during the Afghanistan evacuation.

Together the agencies would deploy 806 increments of cargo total including beddown material, vehicles, power and heat capabilities and support equipment, during the course of evacuation support operations.

“It’s all about logistics,” said Brig. Gen. George T. Dietrich, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa director of logistics, engineering and force protection, “and it all starts with the capabilities the 86th MMS and WSA bring to the entire operation.”

Afghanistan evacuation support began Aug. 18, with the 86th Airlift Wing first requesting the 86th MMS to deploy beddown materiel from the Central Region Storage Facility in Sanem, Luxembourg, to support shelters and living areas for evacuees during the operation.

Paul Weckering, Warehouses Service Agency operations manager, left, speaks with U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. George T. Dietrich III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa director of logistics, engineering and force protection, at the Central Region Storage Facility in Sanem, Luxembourg, Oct. 12. The CRSF currently stores 95% of USAFE – AFAFRICA ’s war reserve materiel, including vehicles, aerospace ground equipment, fuels operational readiness capability equipment, and basic expeditionary airfield resources.

The unit often sends materiels to other bases, but this was the first time the 86th MMS had been largely hands-on with cargo of this scale.

“I think it was really validating to be able to see it in person,” said 1st Lt. Rachel Hammes, 86th MMS assistant director of operations. “We were able to understand WSA’s hard work and see the physical result of it.”

For the first time in 10 years, both the 86th MMS and WSA moved into 24-hour operations to support the Afghanistan evacuation. This proved to be a challenging task for some members of the WSA, who mainly deployed cargo requested by the 86th MMS, but the agency recognized the importance of the operation and volunteered to work extra hours.

“They went so far above and beyond what they were required to do,” Hammes said. “They didn’t have to extend their shifts or work weekends, but they volunteered because they saw it as their mission.”

A successful operation may necessitate enormous amounts of cargo, and together the 86th MMS and WSA have risen up to the task, deploying millions of materials to Ramstein to ensure Airmen and volunteers are equipped with enough materials to take care of evacuees.

Michael Melone, Warehouses Service Agency carpenter, poses for a photo at the Central Region Storage Facility in Sanem, Luxembourg, Oct. 12. The Warehouses Service Agency is a Luxembourg government-established service organization that inspected and repaired 44 unit type codes during operations in support of the Afghanistan evacuation. The WSA’s in-house carpentry shop allows the 86th MMS to deploy equipment for airlift contingency taskers, complete with custom-built shoring.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Leslie Glandon, 86th Material Maintenance Squadron Civil Engineering Flight section chief, explains the interior of a unit type code at the Central Region Storage Facility in Sanem, Luxembourg, Oct. 12. Some of the supplies deployed to support operations during the Afghanistan evacuation efforts include beddown, power and heat capabilities, vehicles and other support equipment.
Members of the Warehouses Service Agency operate a forklift to deliver a generator to its holding area at the Central Region Storage Facility in Sanem, Luxembourg, Oct. 12. During Afghanistan evacuation operations, the CRSF and Warehouses Services Agency volunteered to go into 24/7 operations for the first time in 10 years to support Operation Allies Welcome.
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