A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... UNIT DEPLOYMENT MANAGER
Our community is familiar with having active duty members go to different locations, but we never really think about how those trainings were coordinated at the grassroots level. It is important for those going on TDY to be mission ready, but before the service members even get on the plane, strategic planning must take place to ensure that the training goes as planned. LRS has members deploy to many locations, and they are involved in every exercise that takes place on Kadena. “It is amazing how much one organization can impact the operations of an entire base, and the entire Air Force, honestly,” said SSgt Grigg. Before SSgt Grigg was a UDM, she worked in the Vehicle Operations section. As a Vehicle Operator, she only executed a small part of an ongoing large mission; whereas now, she gets to see it from beginning to end, which she explained has been a very rewarding part of her position as a UDM. The Logistics Readiness Squadron impacts every unit on base whether the jets need fuel, vehicles require maintenance, passengers or cargo need delivering, or missions need to be planned. LRS also impacts our non-active duty population by playing organizational roles in events such as the Kadena Special Olympics and providing updated information regarding readiness. The UDMs are responsible for maintaining and reporting
From the biggest mission to the smallest mission, LRS is a part of that. war-time readiness to higher headquarters. It is important to have everything ready in case of an emergency, and keeping everything as updated as possible is one of the ways that LRS maintains readiness. Written By • Melissa Kowaluk Photos by • Jana byrn
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here are certain squadrons that serve very specific missions, and then there are others that have a much wider reach. The Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) is one that acts as a necessary component for mission success, regardless of the short-term goals of a specific mission. All operations coming from Kadena Air Base relies on LRS. Anything as seemingly small as issuing government vehicles, to providing supply kits for outgoing TDYs, LRS
48 FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING PLEASE VISIT KADENAFSS.COM
serves as the main hub of communications. SSgt Heather Grigg, a Unit Deployment Manager (UDM) with the LRS is from Fairfax, Virginia, and has been on island for about four years. She takes pride in being the reliable source for all questions and is always ready to help in the next mission. “From the biggest mission to the smallest mission, LRS is a part of that.”
SSgt Grigg explained that she is grateful for the open communication between other offices. She wanted to thank her leadership for their support, along with SSgt Angela McCrary from the Installation Personnel Readiness Office and SSgt Yesenia Benjamin from Public Health who have collaborated with SSgt Grigg in times when it counted most. Networking within different work centers and contributing to each other’s success is ultimately what will help all missions be more successful. SSgt Grigg’s favorite part about living here is the community both American and Japanese. She hopes to help continue building up the community around her by exemplifying what she believes is to be a good neighbor. FOR OPEN POSITIONS, PLEASE VISIT NAFJOBS.ORG AND USAJOBS.GOV
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