Photo By Sgt. Marshall Thompson | Staff Sgt. Enoc Santos, passenger terminal NCOIC with the 265th Movement Control Team,...... read more read more
Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq - Q-West Base Complex (QBC) had very few aircraft landing or flying from the post in 2005, but things have changed and flights are moving with more regularity from the base.
The 265th Movement Control Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash., runs the passenger terminal for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters at QBC and helps all passengers get to their destinations whether on missions, leave, or going on pass. The 265th took on the new mission last October.
Staff Sgt. Enoc Santos, the passenger terminal NCOIC, described the mission as moving cargo and passengers from Q-West to the surrounding areas.
"We deal with what comes in and goes out of Q-West," Santos said.
Santos said his job is a satisfying one. However, to get satisfaction from the job Santos and his Soldiers had to put some work into the facility and the way they approach customers to make things better for the passengers.
"When we got here we had helicopters," said Santos. "Now we have fixed-wing and helicopters."
"Transportation is an important part of our mission," said Spc. Anthony Depetre, a transportation management coordinator with the 265th working at the passenger terminal.
Santos and his team's workload have also increased because they are now sending Soldiers directly to Kuwait for leave.
Soldiers from the 101st Sustainment Brigade's Support Operations
Center and the passenger terminal gathered data and compiled numbers on Soldiers going from base to base for leave.
"We did reports and number crunching," said Staff Sgt. Violeta Valdez, an administration clerk with the 203rd Personnel Support Battalion working alongside the 265th at the passenger terminal.
The 265th was positive they could support direct flights to Kuwait for Soldiers going on leave.
"We were doing double the work," Santos said. "Now we have one move rather than two moves."
According to Valdez, documenting the numbers and tracking people was a necessity to make the change, and she feels things have gotten better now that QBC sends out more flights and the flights should increase in the future, she said.
"It's more convenient for everybody," Santos said about the direct flights for leave. "Units are happy because travel time has decreased. Before, Soldiers had to leave two or three days early from Q-West to get to Kuwait. A person was gone for an extra week."
The 265th Soldiers also upgraded the facilities at the terminal. A waiting area with a television and movies is available for Soldiers. The waiting area has all the amenities servicemembers might need before a flight.
"It's our Soldiers that do the work," said Staff Sgt. Robert Jackson, a 265th movement control supervisor. "There are long days, but the Soldiers don't complain."
Jackson said the unit puts the time into everything they do because they know what it means to their customers.
The 265th put in paperwork to get a nearby building renovated. When renovated, the building will give them a place to house passengers in case a flight is delayed or cancelled.
The 265th believes their job is about customer service and taking care of a passenger's needs.
"It's nice to go home at night knowing you have done everything possible to get the mission done," Santos said.
Santos explained it isn't always easy to get everybody on the flights personnel have requested. Passengers are discontent when flights are canceled or diverted.
"When flights get cancelled, people look at you like it's your fault," said Santos. "The most challenging thing is you need to keep your composure and have good customer service."
However, Santos and his crew realize the importance of each passenger's situation.
"We're helping out fellow Soldiers, especially those going on emergency leave," said Depetre.
The 265th uses whatever assets they have to get people where they need to go. They check other forms of air travel and often investigate the other terminals on nearby posts to find out if they have better options for the customer.
Santos said the mission is satisfying and Soldiers reward them for their hard work with a smile.
"When I see people leave happy, that is the most rewarding part of the job," said Santos.
| Date Taken: | 06.09.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2006 13:22 |
| Story ID: | 6768 |
| Location: | QAYYARAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 285 |
| Downloads: | 171 |
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