by Army Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
TALL AFAR, Iraq (April 18, 2006) - Whether Soldiers or civilians are arriving or departing, they must process at the Passenger Terminal (PAX) located near the flight line on Forward Operating Base Sykes.
The Arrival Departure Airfield Control Group, more commonly known by the acronym ADACG, ensure individuals are accounted for and get on the correct aircraft to get to the correct destination.
"We take care of Soldiers and civilians getting on and off aircraft," said Sgt. Reginald Franklin, 510th Personnel Service Battalion, PAX shift supervisor. "We make sure people are manifested and take them to their respected aircraft and meet individuals when they first arrive." Franklin is from Lawton, Okla.
According to Spc. Renika Whaley, 510th PSB, from Crystal River, Fla., the PAX is like customer service. They greet everyone who comes off the aircraft and welcome them to FOB Sykes.
"We collect all identification cards, bring them into the PAX, have them sign in, and help them out anyway we can," said Spc. Marcus Oehmke, 510th PSB and native of Berlin, Germany.
Oehmke said that he likes working with people; it's a lot different from his construction job he had before joining the Army.
"It's nice to be dealing with and helping people," Oehmke said. "It's nice to see them happy when they go on leave to see their families."
Whaley said that most of the time working in the PAX is very rewarding, but at times people get upset because they cannot leave because of bad weather or the aircraft is full.
"It's feels great when someone gives me a compliment after I help them out. That makes me feel good," Whaley said.
"Working in the PAX is a new experience," said Spc. Kyron Oram, 510th PSB from Baltimore, Md. "I worked with the PSB in Germany [but] this is my first time working in a PAX terminal."
"It's great working here dealing with people," Oram said. "I am a people person, and helping them out lifts my spirits knowing that I was able to help someone."