Yokota Airman supports war fighter with sister services' help

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs
AL ASAD AIR BASE --  While the mission of the Air Force's expeditionary logistics readiness squadrons are similar throughout the area of responsibility, the 47 members of the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Detachment 1 are unique, as they accomplish their mission with the help of Marines, Sailors and Soldiers.

ELRSs are responsible for transporting cargo and passengers to and from aircraft throughout the AOR.

"Our mission is to support the war fighters in Iraq and Afghanistan in by moving equipment to our troops who need it," said Master Sgt. Dwight Lewis, 332nd ELRS Det. 1 aerial port superintendent deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan. "We also move cargo for troops redeploying back to the U.S.

"The cargo operation at Al Asad clearly demonstrates that, even at the lower levels of the American Armed Forces, we can fight successfully together as a joint force," the Miami native continued. "We've trained together for years, but the reason we train together is so that when called upon we can successfully fight together and win the nation's wars."

Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Helderman, joint air cargo operations terminal army air cargo noncommissioned officer in charge, and his Soldiers work hand-in-hand with the 332nd ELRS Airmen around the clock.

Without the teamwork of the military branches, equipment might not make it to ground forces.

"Our mission here is very important," said Sergeant Helderman, a native of Newberry, Ind. "Various parts, cargo and food need to get to certain areas and sometimes you can't get to it by ground. Our job is very important in theater."

Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Berube, 332nd ELRS ramp services specialist deployed from Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H., agrees.

"We provide essential materials to the war fighter or anything we may need here to help us," the native of Oxford, Maine, said. "What we do directly affects war fighters."

Being deployed in this joint environment is an experience Sergeant Helderman, deployed from the 138th Quarter Master Support Company in Brazil, Ind., won't soon forget.

"One of the greatest things about my tour here is the jointness we have working here at the JACOT," he said. "You really get to experience working with other branches. Probably the most memorable time I've had in my career is working with the Air Force, Navy and Marines all together. We work well together."