A4R Logistics Readiness leads charge in High North, Arctic

FINLAND

08.29.2023

Courtesy Story

352nd Special Operations Wing

ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England -- Effective logistics and mobility activities can directly strengthen the U.S. Air Force’s ability to support allies and partners and respond to potential crises.
The nine-man team assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing A4R Logistics Readiness at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, is providing the 352d SOW with the ability to conduct operations across Europe and in particular with its allies in the High North, Arctic.
“We facilitate the movement of people and cargo in support of 352d SOW throughout its theaters of operation, using the most expeditious and cost-effective methods available,” said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Barretto, 352d SOW A4R Logistics Readiness J4 non-commissioned officer in charge. “Our office assists in preparing, monitoring, coordinating, and consolidating logistics annexes for operational plans, programming plans and general support, contingency and exercise plans.”
This movement of people and cargo has supported the 352d SOW’s operations to assist in bolstering NATO’s eastern flank. One primary focus has been operations with NATO’s newest member country, Finland.
“The Finnish have been very welcoming and eager to learn. We work with partner nations for sustained logistics support during an exercise and operation, said Capt. Brienna Herdrich, A4R Logistics Readiness flight commander. “We recently participated in the Southern Griffin exercise, the biggest Finnish-led exercise and guided them on how we operate in a Special Operations Air Tasked Group staff function.”
Exercise Southern Griffin allowed U.S. Special Operations Forces to bring unique capabilities and expertise in unconventional warfare that contributes to overall combined joint campaign planning. Regardless of language, nationality and territory, all allied and partner SOF are responsible for supporting conventional forces in unconventional ways to help defend global security.
“Our main goal in logistics was to use our experiences to guide the Finnish in executing a successful (Special Operations Air Task Group). We worked them through our logistics command and control and coordination,” explained Staff Sgt. Ariana Blanco, a member of the A4R Logistics Readiness team that helped to support Southern Griffin. “We showed them some of our internal processes and explained our day-to-day roles within the 352d SOW. We shared plenty of information and resources and allowed them to see a deployment process from a different perspective.”

The A4R Logistics Readiness has been effectively operating within the wing and throughout the European theater. Not only have they ensured cooperation and enhanced operations within the High North, the unit ensured a rapid response movement to Poland in February 2022.

“This was the first time in a long time our team was able to secure airlift from conventional forces, in conjunction with 352d SOW organic airlift to mass deploy 215 personnel and 121 short tons of equipment with a very short timeline,” said Herdrich.

A4R Logistics Readiness differs from traditional Logistics Readiness Squadrons and logistics planners in the 352d SOW wear two hats: One is that of a major command function where they generate requirements and task down to the units, and the other is that of a wing function, which plans, prepares and executes deployment timelines to ensure on-time aircraft departure.

• Date Taken: 08.29.2023
• Date Posted: 09.06.2023 04:54
• Story ID: 452351
• Location: FI