WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- “I think when it comes to what our functions are in the LRS, a lot of folks don’t really understand what all we do or what we’re here to do,” said Chief Master Sgt. Shevaun McRoberts, the logistics supply manager and superintendent of the 442d Logistics Readiness Squadron here.
“We support the flying mission in every way we can, personnel support when it comes to their uniforms, personal protective equipment, gear issue for deployments, vehicle transportation, or getting their tasking information in line. The LRS might be a small squadron, but we do a lot of functions to support all the things that go on in this wing.”
Recently, Chief McRoberts has been supporting Airmen in the 442d Fighter Wing as they prepare for deployments, but no task comes without its hurdles.
“A challenge has been trying to get things purchased and here in a timely manner before people are leaving. With COVID, there are a lot of items that were affected by factory shut downs, which affected the availability of items on hand so it just took longer than we expected to get here,” said McRoberts.
Luckily, McRoberts hasn’t had to handle everything alone as she’s had several people help along the way. One of whom was Master Sgt. Michael Stephens, an electronic countermeasure technician with the 442d Maintenance Squadron. Stephens volunteered to help with the distribution of the MXS deployment gear by gathering clothing orders from each individual set to deploy, organizing the gear once it came in, and distributing it to the correct individuals.
However, the other challenge came when Stephens, tasked to deploy, had to go into quarantine before completing the gear distribution.
Enter Technical Sgt. Crista Young, the unit-training manager for the 442d Maintenance Group. Young, the alternate unit deployment manager, stepped in for Stephens and helped execute the rest of the distribution until the unit could hire a new UDM to take over the role.
“We coordinated with medical, so as the deployers came in to do their COVID tests, we had the gear lined up in order by their appointment time,” said Young. “We had them come through, gave them a clipboard and pen with their sheet and had them inventory everything we were giving them as they went down the line.”
Through teamwork, all individuals could get their gear and get out the door on time.
“You don’t do any of this on your own, it definitely takes an army,” said McRoberts.