Great gear for good guys and girls

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shannon Hall
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  All over the globe, Airmen are deployed in support of the United States and its allies, providing assistance to those in need -- but who provides aid to these Airmen, ensuring they are fully equipped before shipping out?

Dyess Airmen assigned to the combat mobility warehouse ensure deployment equipment is properly maintained, stored and issued to those who need it.

"Our section is responsible for the storing, inventorying, inspecting and issuing of necessary equipment to ensure serviceability," said Tech. Sgt. Shella Duque, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron combat mobility non-commissioned officer in charge. "Some of the equipment we handle is mobility bags, weapons, individual body armor and chemical, biological, radioactive, nuclear and explosive protective gear."

When issuing gear, the section requires Airmen to give pertinent information to be loaded into the Mobility Inventory Control and Accountability System. This system offers visibility of all Dyess mobility equipment that is deployed and in the warehouse.

Deployments differ in location and reporting guidelines, which determine the specific gear and amount of equipment each individual is issued.

"Normally an individual is issued a weapon and three mobility bags," said Senior Airman Trent Smith, 7th LRS combat mobility journeyman. "A mobility bag consists of a gas mask, an improved outer tactical vest, chemical gear, cold weather gear, a sleeping bag and weapons. All of the equipment together is worth around $5,000."

Without combat mobility, Dyess Airmen could be sent into war-zones with no protective gear or weapons to ensure their safe return home.

"The equipment we maintain saves lives and we take pride in the fact we're helping to provide our Airmen the best-possible protection available so they can return safely back to their families," said Staff Sgt. Michael Christopher, 7th LRS combat mobility supervisor.

Even with challenges arising every day, like short notice deployments, Airmen within the combat mobility shop push through to complete their job, doing their part to accomplish the Dyess mission.

"This team has overcome a tremendous amount of challenges by persevering and continuing to work longer hours with fewer people," Duque said. "They continue to provide the best customer support needed to get Dyess Airmen the best equipment available."