SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Airmen will be returning from their deployment a little lighter because of a test to pre-position mobility bags in theater, potentially saving millions of dollars. The test began May 9.
To make the deployable Air Force more agile and address concerns of people hand-carrying too many bags into the U.S. Central Command theater, Air Force installations and logistics officials approved the test.
The plan, proposed by U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials, boasts a savings of about $5.1 million per air and space expeditionary force cycle, Air Force officials said. This savings stems from $70 per bag of excess baggage and $1,600 per seat for empty seats that cannot be filled because of the surplus luggage weight.
This idea has bounced around at least since 1998 when a supply manager from Operation Southern Watch suggested it; however, it could not be implemented until now, said Maj. Paulette Jordan, CENTAF chief of supply at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. She was part of the team that helped rejuvenate the idea.
“The reality of our extended stay in the region, and the fact that units identified storage locations from existing resources made it a reality at this time,” she said. “Previous efforts were solely dependent on permanent construction, some of which wasn’t projected until 2009.”
This test calls for Airmen in AEFs 3, 4, 5 and 6 to turn in their mobility bags and chemical warfare equipment to theater materiel managers before redeploying. This equipment will be stored at the three expeditionary theater distribution centers located at primary hubs in Southwest Asia.
“If we go to full implementation, (incoming Airmen) will be able to go to these centers and receive whatever bags they need based on their location and the season,” Major Jordan said. “One of the things that the test will help us to work out will be the process to issue and control these assets, particularly during the rotation.”
The 5,000-square foot center is maintained by 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen at a forward-deployed location. It will be outfitted with four tiers, expanding its storage space to 200,000 square feet. The other two centers will be maintained by Airmen in the 376th and 386th AEWs. Deployed Airmen will be turning in their equipment as they pass through these hubs with a few exceptions.
Airmen will not turn in weapons, gas masks or individual body armor. There is a lack of storage space and there are security concerns for the weapons. Body armor purchased by major commands will be returned; however, armor issued in theater will stay in theater.
Airmen assigned to Pacific Air Forces, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard are not part of this test.
Battlefield Airmen, aircrew, security forces, Red Horse civil engineers and air control squadron Airmen also will not participate because they deploy with special equipment.
Airmen deploying to and from the 380th AEW and certain other units will travel with their equipment according to their reporting instructions.
If the test proves successful, the initiative will be expanded to other AEF cycles until one full cycle’s worth of equipment is pre-positioned. Until that time, Airmen should follow the reporting instructions.
“It’s going to be a huge step forward, reducing the footprint of deploying troops,” said Chief Master Sgt. John Foran, CENTAF command chief. “It’ll be better on our troops to pick up their gear before they go into (an active combat) zone. It’s an outstanding system.”
Airmen within 10 days of departure now are allowed to turn in their equipment. One Airman scheduled to return home May 15 said she was excited about the test and immediately turned in her equipment after the announcement.
“It is such a relief I’m not going to have to lug those heavy bags all the way back to Schriever (Air Force Base, Colo.),” said Staff Sgt. Nadia Smith, an information manager in the Combined Air Operations Center. “I know the Air Force is going to save loads of money, but this has obvious benefit to all Airmen too.”
Staff Sgt. Les Whitehead, of the 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron, said it was one of the smartest things he had seen implemented.
"It takes a load off us and saves money," he said.
"I'll take this any day over hauling all this gear back home," said Staff Sgt. Cameron Marshall, of the operations center.
Col. Peaches Kavanaugh, CENTAF-Forward logistics chief, said the word is spreading quickly and appears to be a huge morale booster for Airmen. She said there were more than 40 people in line at midnight waiting to turn in their bags.