Supply Operations

TSgt. Val Johnson reaches for a box being handed down from SSgt. Ernest Martinez in the Individual Equipment Issue area of the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., April 21, 2012. Johnson and Martinez said ensuring that Airmen have the right equipment and uniform items they need to accomplish their mission is the primary goal in the supply section. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. David Kujawa)

Supply Operations

SSgt. Garrett Fisher, 127th Security Forces, waits at the counter as SSgt. Ernest Martinez, 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron, checks Fisher’s paperwork in the Individual Equipment Issue area at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., April 21, 2012. Martinez said ensuring that Airmen have the right equipment and uniform items they need to accomplish their mission is the primary goal in the supply section. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. David Kujawa)

Supply Operations

Airmen and Sailors often work closely together in the shipping and receiving area of the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Sorting incoming shipments on April 21, 2012, are, from left, LS2 Lawrence Sledz, LS2 Lonnie Wymes, TSgt. James Dominguez and LS1 Charles Rowe. Dominguez is a member of the 127th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard. The Sailors are attached to the Naval Operations Support Center-Detroit, located at Selfridge. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. David Kujawa)

Right Parts, Right Uniform the Focus for Supply Airmen

Published April 22, 2012
By TSgt. Dan Heaton
127th Wing Public Affairs

SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Making sure people have what they need to get the job done. That's the mission of the supply operations in the 127th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.

"People need the right parts to maintain aircraft and they need the right uniform items to look good," said Technical Sgt. Val Johnson.

He's been part of the supply department of the 127th Wing at Selfridge for more than 20 years. At one time or another, he's worked in just about every aspect of the operation. For the last several years, he's been one of the people working the counter in the Individual Equipment Issue section. That's where Airmen go to get their uniform items and certain protective equipment.

"It takes training, dedication and a focus on customer service to be good in supply," said Johnson. "To me, customer service means that we make sure our Airmen have what they need to fulfill the mission. That's our mission."

Staff Sgt. Ernest Martinez has worked alongside Johnson for the past eight years in the supply section. All totaled, he has about 14 years of military service.

"One of the things about working in the supply section, is we touch all parts of not only the wing, but the entire base," Martinez said. "So you are always interacting with people."

Since Selfridge is home to units of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Customs & Border Protection, as well as several supporting agencies - all in addition to the Air Force - Johnson and Martinez said they come in contact with people in many different uniforms.

"You try to treat them all the same," Johnson said. "Get them what they need and get them on their way."

The 127th LRS is one of the places on Selfridge where the joint service nature of the base is best on display. Sailors from Naval Operations Support Center-Detroit work together with Airmen from the Michigan Air National Guard, receiving and sorting supply items.

Most of the Airmen - and the Sailors - are traditional members of either the Air National Guard or the Navy Reserve, meaning they perform their military duties about one weekend per month and for two weeks of active duty per year. Johnson, as an example, works in the criminal justice system full time, while also serving in the Guard.

"You know, it is just a great group of people you get to serve with out here," Johnson said. "People have a focus on service and we work together to get the job done."