Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    325th MMF, the little flight that could

    325th MMF, the little flight that could

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Javier Alvarez | Airman 1st Class Aaron Fennimore, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron aircraft parts...... read more read more

    TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

    04.01.2019

    Story by Senior Airman Javier Alvarez 

    325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

    At one point in time, the 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron materiel management flight oversaw an inventory of more than 530,000 parts and equipment.

    Like clockwork, the loggies of the 325th MMF managed, ordered, inventoried, inspected and delivered stock in support of T-38 Talons, QF-16 Aerial Targets and the largest fleet of F-22 Raptors in the Air Force. The MMF was comprised of nearly 100 Airmen, embedded into various squadrons across Tyndall to ensure units got the support needed for air and ground operations – holding true to the LRS motto, “you can’t fly without supply.”

    It was their commitment to excellence that led the 325th LRS to win the General Warren R. Carter Daedalian Logistics Effectiveness Award less than two years after its official activation in 2014.

    But in the blink of an eye everything changed.

    Hurricane Michael swept through the Florida Panhandle Oct. 10, 2018, peeling roofs from buildings and hurling debris through walls, ultimately leaving a $25 billion trail of destruction. The MMF warehouse, once meticulously organized, was along the hurricane’s path.

    In the days and weeks following the storm, Airmen from across the Air Force traveled to Tyndall in support of recovery efforts. The number of permanent party MMF Airmen shrunk to seven, but that didn't mean they were without support.

    U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Gilbert Anacleto, 99th LRS quality assurance section chief, from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, was part of the initial wave of temporary duty Airmen who traveled to Tyndall.

    “We didn't know what to expect when we first got here,” Anacleto said. “I saw photos before leaving, but what I saw in person was much worse. Lighting to part of the building was down, so [Airmen] had to wear headlamps when going in. There was no telling what we had and what was missing.”

    The first task was clearing the debris. Once the environment was safe and clear, Airmen were able to walk through, inspect and inventory.

    “Initial warehouse recovery efforts took off at a snail’s pace,” said Senior Master Sgt. Giovanna Alvarez, 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron material management flight superintendent. Supply Airmen were clearing out the warehouse at 50 to 100 pieces daily, a rate that was projected to take more than seven years.

    “None of us have gone through something like this, so for every problem we encountered we had to think of a creative solution,” Alvarez said. “We took a step back and thought of a better way to do things that would still produce results.”

    Flight leadership met and devised a plan to streamline the supply process, working closely with the transportation section to streamline shipments out.

    Today, MMF Airmen are pulling more than 300 pieces per day – and what was expected to last seven years was whittled down to two.

    “We've come a long way since those first days and I'm optimistic for what’s to come,” Anacleto said. “We came from all over the country. It was a rough start, but we came together with a clear goal.”

    The 325th LRS MMF has made great progress since Hurricane Michael. The support might look different than before the storm, but MMF Airmen assure their customers they are still getting the best supply experience in the Air Force.

    “We call ourselves L, R, Yes,” Alvarez said. “We try to find a way to say ‘yes’ to our customer. I'm going to try and find a way to come up with a solution for your problem or accept your solution to help you, help the mission, and help your unit. That's what we're here for. Sometimes you just think of creative ways to do that.”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.01.2019
    Date Posted: 04.08.2019 13:49
    Story ID: 317272
    Location: TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US

    Web Views: 251
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN