111th LRS assists local Marines in deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. John Finchen
  • 111th Logistics Readiness Squadron
WILLOW GROVE AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. --  During the first three weeks of May 2009, the 111th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) assisted the Marine's HMH-772 Squadron of Marine Air Group (MAG 49) with their nine-month contingency deployment to Afghanistan.

The Marines, who are co-located at Willow Grove with the 111th Fighter Wing (FW), initially approached the Wing's LRS personnel requesting help with load planning and hazardous cargo certification. Over the course of the next few days, LRS' support quickly mushroomed. In the spirit of joint service cooperation, the command of the Squadron and Wing threw their full support behind this important operation.

The personnel of LRS assisted the Marines with cargo build-up, load planning, cargo inspection, real-time airlift status, in-transit visibility, vehicles and ultimately the loading of four C-5s and five C-17 cargo aircraft as well as one MD-11 PAX aircraft. A total of 175 Marines and 290 tons of cargo, which included five CH-53 helicopters, were deployed over a ten-day period.

Additionally, while supporting the Marines, LRS deployed 50 personnel plus equipment of the 201st RED HORSE Squadron, Detachment 1 also located at Willow Grove, on a training deployment to Guam to assist active duty forces. 

These operations continue to demonstrate the joint force environment at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station and the "One Team One Fight" mentality inspired by the command of the 111th Fighter Wing and the PA Air National Guard.