Kadena Airmen process, brief at PDF line

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zade C. Vadnais
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Mission focused exercises often require Kadena Airmen to be tasked with participating in the personnel deployment function line at the Air Mobility Command passenger terminal.

The PDF line simulates a final eligibility check for deployment. Participating Airmen have their mobility folders, immunization records and baggage weight checked to ensure they would be able to perform their duties as soon as they hit the ground if they were to be deployed real-world.

"Besides ensuring the wing presents combat-ready Airmen to the combatant commander, the PDF maintains accountability of our deploying Airmen prior to deployment," said Master Sgt. Fabrienne Burnett, 18th Force Support Squadron superintendent of career development and PDF superintendent during the MFE. "We make sure commanders have the forces needed and the Airmen are personally ready by taking care of any last minute affairs they may need assistance with prior to leaving."

In addition to ensuring Airmen have the paperwork and equipment necessary to deploy, the PDF line also gives "deploying" Airmen a series of briefs designed to educate them about benefits they're eligible to receive while deployed and other matters specific to their deployed location.

These briefs also give Airmen who are not participating in the simulated deployment an opportunity to practice their public speaking skills. Airmen from several agencies on base are called upon to represent their units and deliver pre-deployment briefs as subject matter experts.

"There are a large number of individuals that make this part of the machine work," Burnett said.

Burnett said there were representatives from the force support squadron, logistics readiness squadron, comptroller squadron, legal, the chaplain's office -- so there are a lot of base functions and Airmen that make this part of the deployment process work smoothly.

Processing hundreds of Airmen per MFE, the PDF line serves as practice for those who have never deployed and a refresher course for those who have. Senior Airman Joseph Zeigler, 33rd Helicopter Maintenance Unit integrated flight control systems technician and simulated deployed personnel, recently returned from a deployment and remembers going through real-world deployment line.

"I just went through this six months ago for my last deployment," said Senior Airman Joseph Ziegler, 33rd Helicopter Maintenance Unit integrated flight control systems technician and simulated deployed personnel. "Most of the guys with me today have never deployed so they're getting prepped for our upcoming deployment."

The importance of preparation cannot be understated. Ensuring Airmen are aware of their roles and responsibilities is an important function of every aspect of an MFE. Burnett agrees that when it comes to emergency or short-notice situations practice makes perfect.

"I think it's very important to practice because it makes sure that the individuals have all their affairs in order and that they're ready to accomplish the mission once they get wherever they're being sent," Burnett said.