Vance Deployment Center - getting ready to deploy

  • Published
  • By Connie Hempel
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs Office
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  It's all in the name - Vance Deployment Center - but who are the people that make it happen?

Those returning from deployment have already had their experience at the Vance Deployment Center and can agree that a lot of what you need to get you to where you're going comes from within the that large building. Let's take a look at how what they do makes your deployment easier.

"It all starts with us getting a tasking from the (Installation Deployment Office)," said Tech. Sgt. Rose Maraston, 17th Force Support Squadron Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of installation and personnel readiness. "From there, a letter is sent to the appointed unit to assign a member to the tasking."

Once assigned, the deploying member receives checklists from the installation and personnel readiness office to help them get ready for their deployment, Sergeant Maraston said. Many of the items on the list can be completed at the 9 a.m. Tuesday deployment briefings held in the Vance Deployment Center.

"At the deployment briefing we go over line-by-line what they need to get done and give them a heads up of what to expect," Sergeant Maraston said. "It's important to give them that information so they don't go in blind."

Some of the topics discussed at the briefing include customs and different cultures, dealing with the media and being interviewed, sexual assault and awareness, and legal issues such as making a Will and Power of Attorney.

In addition to getting some of the required tasks on the list accomplished, a lot of people interact in the briefings and talk about their past experiences with deployments and at the Combat Skills Training class. Everyone who deploys attends a CST class which are held at various locations around the states.

"Attending the deployment briefing is mandatory, but it's also great opportunity to learn from those that have experience with deployments," Sergeant Maraston said. "They get insight in to what to expect which is great especially for those who have never deployed before."

Once members complete the briefing, they have to visit other agencies on base to complete the rest of their checklist requirements, but many of them can still be completed at other sections in the Vance Deployment Center.

The mobility bags section stores and stocks a variety of equipment in A, B, and C bags for those deploying. The reporting instructions and line remarks from the tasking letter tell the MOBAG section what to issue.

The A bags hold items like mess kits and can hold other personal items that a person would need on a regular basis. The B bags contain cold weather gear like parkas and the C bags hold Chemical Warfare gear.

"We stock everything but their clothes," said Susan Bounds, 17th Logistics Readiness Squadron material storage and distribution chief.

The MOBAG section is also responsible for keeping inventory of all the equipment packed in more than 800 bags as well ensuring the equipment works correctly.

"If we don't do our job right in MOBAGs, we could send them with the wrong equipment or without equipment that they absolutely have to have," Ms. Bounds said. "They also could end up with stuff that's expired or no longer good and that could jeopardize their mission or even their health."

While inventory is done quarterly, gear is checked according to each item's specific guidance. It is also cleaned and inspected upon return from deployment or after being used for training. Case lot numbers and using the shelf life program helps them easily determine where items are located and how long they're good for.

The weapons section does inventory every six months and routine inspections on all of the M16s, M4s and M9s they store. The type of weapon a member deploys with is indicated on their tasking letter. Once the weapons section assigns the appropriate type of weapon, the deploying member takes it to the combat arms range to qualify with it. The weapon they qualify with is also the same weapon they take with them on deployment because the last thing someone wants is to deploy with weapon that doesn't work, said Ms. Bounds.

"It's important that they go fire their weapon and make sure it's in good working condition," she said. "We don't want our troops going over there without everything that they need working properly."

Ms. Bounds said that everything they do has a direct mission impact and that it's critical to make sure they do their jobs without fault.

"If we don't, it could keep you from being effective and available to the downrange commander," she said.

Although Goodfellow doesn't have an active flightline, the Vance Deployment Center serves as a passenger terminal, too, according to Dan Walker, 17th Force Support Squadron military personnel flight chief.

When a large group of members are tasked to deploy and a deployment line is initiated, members can accomplish all of the tasks listed each of the checklists and out-process in just a few hours. Then, they are shipped from the Vance Deployment Center to other locations for transportation to their AOR.

Making sure you're ready to deploy and getting you to where you need to be, the Vance Deployment Center can make it happen. So when you see the building with Vance Deployment Center across it, you know that the name really says it all because most of what you need to be ready for deployment can be found within its doors.