PDF line ensures deploying Airmen prepared for fight Published March 14, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Rodney D. Ivey 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The 366th Fighter Wing's personnel deployment function line played a critical role during Exercise Coronet White 08-ACC-14 ensuring every Gunfighter sent out the door was fully prepared to support operations downrange. The PDF line is manned by personnel from the 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron, intelligence flight, mission support squadron, legal office, finance office, Airmen and Family Readiness Center, chapel and medical group. "The main reason we're here is to make sure deploying Airmen are eligible to deploy and completely ready to go," said Maj. Rosalind Abdulkhalik, 366th Military Personnel Flight commander. "We're the last set of eyes to verify everything before they leave." The PDF line ensures Airmen are eligible in multiple areas, including medical qualifications, general training and weapons proficiency. If someone isn't eligible, their unit must provide a replacement. It took a well organized system to successfully process 800 personnel during the Phase I of the exercise, Mar. 14 and 15. Anywhere between two to more than 60 people processed during each of the dozen "chalks" or groups during the Phase I. To manage and synchronize the process timing of every chalk, the Deployment Control Center established strict timelines to make things flow smoothly. "The Deployment Control Center serves as the hub for all wing deployment functions," said Capt. Lauren Hodges, Installation Deployment Officer. "We look at what is tasked, develop a schedule of events to process passengers and cargo in a timely manner in order to get them to their deployed location by the required delivery date." PDF line technicians must then work to complete each chalk within the set time. Every chalk is assigned a troop commander who receives a printout listing his responsibilities throughout the process. Troop commanders serve as the leader of the group to ensure accountability of all personnel and equipment as they travel to the deployed location. Once times are set for each chalk, UDMs receive the information from the DCC and alert personnel of their show times for processing. Before sending them over, they then check everyone's gear and ensure they have all necessary paperwork completed to get through the line. Processing begins at the community activities center where Airmen receive an anti-hijacking and prohibited items briefing. After processing their respective cargo, they are bussed to the PDF line, located in a building close to the flight line, to receive more briefings and go through their mobility folders to make sure everything is in order. Airmen then have the opportunity to make last-minute arrangements with the finance or legal office, talk with a chaplain about any personal concerns they may have and speak with a public affairs representative about interacting with media in the deployed location. Once Airmen have proven their eligibility and taken care of personal issues, they join other deploying troops to board the plane. As the Airmen shuffle out the door, the dedicated personnel of the PDF prepare for yet another group on their way to war.