Airmen, Marines work together at SJAFB

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kenneth Boyton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

In November 2016, Airmen from the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron trained Marines on the R-11 aircraft refueling vehicle in four days. In June 2017 they met again, but this time, they had to complete the training in two.

“My Marines had two days to learn as much as they could about the Air Force used R-11,” said Staff Sgt. David Alston, platoon sergeant for the Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. “They’re using this time by asking a lot of questions and are getting hands-on training with the equipment before we deploy to Morón Air Base, Spain.”

Airman Bryan Roy, 4th LRS fuels specialist, was one of the Airmen working with the 11 Marines.

“They understand their job and do it well,” Roy said. “They’re learning everything about a vehicle they’ve never used quickly and it’s great to work with them.”

Alston and the Marines praised the Airmen from the 4th LRS.

“The Airmen we’re learning from and are working with are friendly, polite, professional, and very knowledgeable,” Alston said. “They explain everything in detail making us better prepared for our deployment.”

The Marines collectively agreed they are ready to use the equipment once they get to Morón Air Base.

Alston commented on how being able to work in a fast-paced environment really helped their training as well.

“We’re used to working with three aircraft at a time. Here, we’re constantly filling up jets in a very high-speed environment,” said Alston. “We’re getting the chance to test ourselves. We’re definitely going to be ready to support the mission and get the job done.”

Master Sgt. James M. Wieser, 496th Air Base Squadron fuels superintendent from Morón Air Base agrees.

“We really appreciate [4th LRS’s] support; it boosts our capabilities here to have the Marines already familiarized with our equipment before they come,” Wieser said. “In addition to the normal Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa (SPMAGTF-CR-AF) mission that you guys support by training up the Marines, you guys have an impact on Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIP/TOA) by having the Marines already spun up before they arrive, the transition of troops is much quicker and seamless.”

When it comes to executing the 4th Fighter Wing’s or another base’s mission, leading people, both Airmen and Marines alike, improving our unit or another, and managing resources abroad, Seymour Johnson AFB and the 4th LRS are always making it happen.