RED HORSE DFT a success in Guam

Photo By Master Sgt. Joseph Harwood | Air National Guard members of the 200th RHS, 180th FW and 121st ARW all represent the Ohio National Guard during their deployments to Andersen Air Force Base, more than 7,500 miles from home in Guam! (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Joseph N. Hall II)  

PORT CLINTON, OH, UNITED STATES

05.25.2016

Courtesy Story

179th Cyberspace Wing

Story courtesy of Senior Airman Joseph Hall II

On March 6th, 2016, after nearly a day spent in the air traveling, members of the 200th and 201st RED HORSE Squadrons (RHS) arrived at Northwest Field, Guam, and hit the ground running. This Deployment for Training (DFT) included 40 members of Vehicle Maintenance, Supply, and Services from both the Pennsylvania and Ohio Air National Guard. Over the past ten years, the 200th RHS has worked with the 554th RHS in Guam in multiple settings. Nearly every year since 2006, the 200th has traveled to Northwest field to aid the 554th RHS in vehicle maintenance, logistics supply, and base services. With only 2 weeks on the island, and a plethora of work to be accomplished at the 554th RHS, Airmen from the 201st RHS and 200th RHS integrated into teams and began accomplishing tasks; the true embodiment of their motto, "Lead, Follow or Get the Hell Out of the Way." Together, they knocked out work order after work order with no questions asked.

Planning for this DFT wasn’t as simple as it may seem. Prior to the main body’s arrival, an Advance Liaison team of 3 individuals traveled to Guam to assess various components of the upcoming trip. This assessment included items to be procured for expedient repair of vehicles, validating the parts and equipment already on hand, and solidifying living conditions and transportation. This initial crew compiled a list of over 25 vehicles in need of repair ranging from Ford passenger trucks to more complex and intricate machinery such as the Volvo Backhoe Loader.

When the main body arrived at the 554th RHS, Guam, the Vehicle Maintenance section had a vehicle in-commission rate of 69.5% and the Supply section had over $176,000 in Turn-ins. With a slew of work to be accomplished, and holding true to the RED HORSE mentality of rapid results, the teams began improving the vehicle in-commission rate and developing a plan of action for turn-ins. RHS members are not strangers to working long days in order to ensure mission completion, which is why the Services section is so critical to the RED HORSE mission. Members of the 200th and 201st RED HORSE Squadrons Services sections ensured everyone was adequately fed and housed throughout the duration of the DFT. Through effective leadership and motivated airmen, in a matter of weeks members from these premier RED HORSE Squadrons had improved the vehicle in-commission rate to nearly 76% and turned in over 1,719 Units totaling $176,219 in turn-ins. The work that was accomplished during the DFT not only benefited the 554th RHS, it also aided 40 members of the 200th and the 201st in completing On the Job Training and completing core tasks for Upgrade.

Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships throughout the world is a critical asset for the 200th RHS. Working with members of different Wings, Units, and Branches of Service is something that RED HORSE has vast experience with. Each time the 200th RHS travels to Guam, the end results exceed expectations; no matter the task at hand, the 200th RHS is always ready and always there.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2016
• Date Posted: 05.25.2016 17:22
• Story ID: 199071
• Location: PORT CLINTON, OH, US