PERSCO keeps tabs on Airmen at home, abroad Published July 20, 2011 By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- When Airmen arrive at a deployed location, they are usually tired and jetlagged from the journey from their respective home stations. Fortunately, the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations (PERSCO) team ensures their inprocessing flows smoothly so they can begin their deployment. "We are responsible for total force accountability," said Master Sgt. Tanica Bradt, 4th Force Support Squadron manpower superintendent. "We also do casualty notifications, certain personnel issues and emergency leave. As the first and last stop for Airmen coming to and leaving deployed locations, PERSCO teams are subject to dealing with many of the emotions and issues Airmen may have with professionalism and compassion. PERSCO personnel embody the "Never leave an Airman behind" motto, as they ensure all Airmen in deployed locations are always accounted for. When there is an emergency on the home front, they ensure Airmen are located and notified immediately so they can begin their leave process. All PERSCO Airmen are certified personnelists who come from various backgrounds in the field. Staff Sgt. Charles Newberry, a personnelist with the 4th FSS, who usually works in Retirements and Separations, said he gets a lot of fulfillment from his job. "Sometimes, it's sad to see people who have to get out of the military," Newberry said. "Other times, it's exciting to be the person to help someone retire after they have worked so many years and are beginning a new journey."