PDF line ensures Airmen are good to go

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  As Airmen prepare to deploy, there are many areas of their lives they ensure are in order; family business, financial matters, legal issues and their training records. However, the most important area they focus on before deploying is having their mobility folders up to date; this is accomplished through multiple checks at the personnel deployment function before they board the plane.

"The main reason we're here is to make sure Airmen are eligible to deploy and completely ready to go," said Maj. Rosalind Abdulkhalik, 366th Mission Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight commander. "After their unit deployment managers check their eligibility, they come here. We are the final stop."

During the Phase I portion of exercise Sharpshooter 08-04 Feb. 24 and 25, approximately 900 Airmen processed through the process of a PDF line to familiarize themselves with what they would face in a real-world deployment. The Airmen were separated into more than a dozen chalks, each with a designated processing time, to make the line run efficiently.

After chalk times are set, UDMs receive the information from the Deployment Control Center and alert personnel of their processing show times.

"The DCC serves as the hub for all wing deployment functions," said Capt. Lauren Hodges, 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer. "We look at what is tasked; develop a schedule of events to process passengers and cargo in a timely manner to get them to their deployed location by the required delivery date."

After meeting with their UDMs one last time to ensure they have the proper gear and required paperwork, Airmen drop their personal gear off at the community activities center and receive an anti-hijacking and prohibited items briefing. They then travel to the 366th LRS war readiness center to pick up their chemical warfare equipment. After inspecting the equipment and loading bags onto a pallet, they travel to the PDF line to continue processing themselves.

The line starts with personnel from the 366th MSS and the 366th Medical Group checking to make sure Airmen are qualified to deploy. If someone is found to deploy, their unit must provide a replacement. Airmen then have the opportunity to talk with representatives from the legal office, finance, Airmen and Family Readiness Center and chapel to answer any questions they may have or make sure their families will be cared for until their return.

During the final briefings, Airmen receive information from the base intelligence team regarding current threat levels both at home and the deployed locations, tips from public affairs on how to deal with media and important health information from public health.

As one chalk heads out the door to board the plane for their deployed location, the PDF line prepares to repeat the process again as a new chalk rolls in.

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