LROs in the Combat Environment

1Lt Scheunemann, Danielle

1Lt Tran, Huy “Anthony” 

Being a part of the 732d Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at Balad AB, Iraq has given us new meaning to being a Logistics Readiness Officer.  We are responsible for the reception and redeployment of over 1,000 Combat Airmen at 9 different locations and 13 detachments throughout the AOR.  We maintain operational and administrative control over two convoy truck detachments, one add-on-armor team and three aerial ports.  The high-ops tempo and continuous movement of intratheater and intertheater assets allow us very little downtime as you can imagine.  We have learned that the keys to a smooth operation here is foresight, preplanning and flexibility.

It is very rewarding to be part of history:  Airmen in direct support or doing combat operations on the ground.  As young officers, this deployment is an invaluable experience of working in a combat environment.  We work very closely with the Army to on intratheater airlift and intelligence information.  Being at the “Tip of the Spear” allows great job satisfaction, as we can see our efforts and hard work unfold in front of our eyes.  When we see stories on CNN, we can say to our family “we were there.”  All of our peers said, “Your first deployment changes you.”  Those words have never been so true until now that we look back at the past few months we have been here.  OIF will be a milestone in our career that we will never forget.  “732^nd COMBAT AIRMAN!”

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