Developing, deploying Warrior Airmen Published July 21, 2009 By 2nd Lt. Leanne Babcock and 2nd Lt. Mark McCollough 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron takes the 21st Space Wing's Mission of "Developing and Deploying Warrior Airmen" to heart by providing training not only to our own Airmen, but to Airmen who deploy from Cheyenne Mountain, Schriever, and the United States Air Force Academy. Deployment preparation is an important part of the warrior ethos that is the focus of Air Force Space Command's Year of Leadership this month. One way we carry out this task is through the Deployment Readiness Expeditionary Skills Training program, a Tier II Expeditionary Skills Training requirement for all AFSPC Airmen to complete within 90 days of deploying. The training is valid for 20 months and does not expire while a person is deployed. This three-day program is geared toward transitioning Airmen to an expeditionary mindset. Held once a month, DREST is operated by two managers, Harvey Kraft and Phillip Wickham, and a cadre of highly skilled security forces, logistician and opposition force cadre members. The security forces cadre instruct students in weapons issue and maintenance, patrol, base defense, challenging procedures and much more. Their expertise comes from real-world experience and passion for their career field. Our logisticians contribute to DREST by aiding in instruction and serving as the opposition force. The OPFOR is comprised of former students from all career fields representing each of our bases. In addition to field training, students must complete ancillary training and self aid buddy care prior to attending. Aside from DREST, logisticians ready themselves months ahead of time prior to deployment by ensuring all training is completed. This is accomplished through cooperative leadership with Airmen in their respective shops. Here at Peterson we may be a small logistics squadron in size, but we possess highly skilled Airmen who are always regarded as professionals. They impact their expeditionary commands and leave a positive imprint of the 21st Space Wing, setting a standard for those who follow them. Another way 21st LRS develops and deploys warrior Airmen is through the newly constructed Army Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group Facility. This new facility provides LRS transporters equipment and resources to support airlift operations in an efficient and timely manner for local deployments. As logistics readiness officers, it can be difficult to experience every facet of our career, which encompasses seven enlisted AFSCs. During our 12-week Basic Logistics Readiness Officer technical school, we study from 7-level enlisted PME for each of the AFSCs. In our first two years, LROs can expect to shuffle from shop to shop, all while attempting to learn everything about the job. Just when we think we've grasped a skill in one area, we're transferred to another. There is never a dull moment in logistics; we are in a constant state of transformation. Because of this flexibility LROs learn we are often known as the "Jacks of All Trades." In logistics we are proud of our warrior heritage and are here to serve Team Pete in any way to help instill warrior ethos and better prepare our warrior Airmen. (Editor's Note: This article is one of several highlighting the Air Force Space Command Year of Leadership and its focus on Warrior Ethos.)