Photo By Staff Sgt. Kristin Cerri | Capt. Graham Baily, Chaplain assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, stands in the chapel at...... read more read more
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During their time at Royal Air Force, Fairford, England, Airmen from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, have worked around the clock to ensure the success of the Bomber Task Force mission.
The purpose of this mission is to familiarize aircrew members with the U.S. European command area of operations while demonstrating the U.S. commitment to allies and partners. The Bomber Task Force mission has been reliant on Airmen’s efficiency and consistency. The 509th Bomb Wing support agencies help maintain Airmen's ability to focus and complete their tasks in support of the BTF.
During this deployment, Airmen live together in a dormitory-style building in a detached, yet secured, compound away from base. Support facilities including the dining hall and chapel are also in this compound. These components create a village of Airmen. In this unique environment it is up to these agencies to holistically care for Airmen so their focus can remain on the mission.
The first step in ensuring Airmen are focused, is making sure they are well fed. This is a need that is addressed by members of the 509th Force Support Squadron who work in the dining facility as quality assurance.
“We are here to make sure that the product and food that they serve is in accordance with the Air Force Instruction,” explains Tech. Sgt. Flint Almiron, 509th Force Support Squadron.
While contractors prepare the food at the facility, it is the duty of Almiron’s team to ensure that the quantity of food is sufficient, the quality of food is safe and healthy for consumption and the facility is clean and maintained.
“We needed to be operational day one,” says Almiron. “The troops need food. Without food there is no mission success.”
Another aspect of the 509th FSS that assists with Airmen’s needs is the Personnel Contingency Operation (PERSCO) team. The PERSCO team assigned to this mission consists of two Airmen, one of whom is Tech. Sgt. Laura Burton.
“We are a mini Military Personnel Flight,” explains Burton. “We account for everybody from when they arrive to when they leave.”
The PERSCO team also ensures that any personnel issues are addressed and cared for which enable Airmen to focus on the mission.
“If they have any personnel concerns of any kind, whether it’s reenlistments, extensions, promotions, anything affecting their career, they come to us and we reach back to home station to resolve those concerns,” says Burton.
Once Airmen have their bellies full of food and their personnel needs met, the Chaplain serves as support for spiritual, emotional and even social wellness during the deployment.
“First I provide for and accommodate the free exercise of religion for Airmen and their families,” explains Chaplain Capt. Graham Baily, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing. “While we are here, if there is a religious need that people have, they can come to me and I will find a way to accommodate that need.”
Additionally, Baily explains he also assists with pastoral care which involve a variety of services he provides to Airmen.
“I coordinate trips for Airmen to go and have a spiritual outing of some kind, offer gatherings at the chapel to discuss core values, or I am available to Airmen to talk about any issues that they may have,” said Baily.
Finally, the chapel also serves as a place for relationships with fellow Airmen to flourish.
“We also try to provide a place for people to come and relax and develop friendships that are meaningful,” says Baily. “Here, people can gather from all types of career fields. We have this opportunity to come together.”
All three of these agencies work together to ensure that the needs of Airmen are being met. In addition to these agencies, there is a flight doctor assigned to the 509th Medical Group, a shoppette that is open twice a week, and a recreation center in this location.
These support agencies serve a specific role in the Bomber Task Force mission which is to continue to develop competent and capable Airmen. Without them, Airmen would be unable to focus and execute their roles in this mission.
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 09.12.2019 05:59 |
| Story ID: | 339970 |
| Location: | GB |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, It takes a village: Support agencies ensure Bomber Task Force mission success, by SSgt Kristin Cerri, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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