SARM: Where the rubber meets the road

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

12/26/2011 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The aviation resource managers of Kunsan seem to do many things, but most importantly, they make sure the pilots of the 8th Fighter Wing can fly and complete their mission.

The host aviation resource management and wing scheduling offices do many things, but when it comes right down to it, some would say they're too far from the squadrons.

Lucky for the team, that's alright; as the Air Force has ensured each squadron under the wing have their own "one charlies" to assist as the pack takes the fight north.

"We have a very crucial component of the Air Operations supporting the Wolf Pack mission," said Master Sgt. Kalana Murdock, 35th Fighter Squadron superintendent. "We ensure pilots are fully qualified to fly."

Sound familiar? Well it is in a sense, but what the squadron aviation resource managers do is much more personable. Staff Sgt. Darious Williams, 80th Fighter Squadron aviation resource management NCO in charge, said he gets to interact with the pilots and maintainers more.

"We're actually in there with the pilots," the sergeant said. "We have to learn more about the aircraft and the lingo involved."

"This is where everything happens," added Senior Airman Mauricio Murcia, 80th FS ARM journeyman. "HARM is like the hub and we're where the day-to-day operations take place."

Tying it all together, SARM not only interacts directly with core HARM responsibilities, but also with those of wing scheduling as well.

"The SARM office is also utilized in the process of tracking flying hours that are used to determine (for the fiscal year) what the squadron will ultimately receive in funding by the Air Force to conduct flying operations," said Senior Airman Sterling Williams, 35th FS ARM journeyman. "The SARM offices are also the main focal point for dispersing information to third parties such as maintenance, wing scheduling, base operations, and other parties involved in getting pilots to their jet to complete the mission and return back safely in order to complete future missions."

Completing future missions and saving the Air Force valuable resources is very important, especially this day in age. And according the 35th's Williams, SARM is at the front, leading the pack.

"Working in the SARM gives 1Cs a great opportunity to be at the 'tip of the spear' in flying operations," he said. "Our career consists of understanding what the pilots need in order to fly. For example, we track life support equipment training and intelligence briefings for 'Go or No-Go' to fly requirements."

"As a 1C you are actually part of the fight directly," Murdock added. "We support the war fighters in either checking flying currencies to working as the focal point of squadron operations [operations desk]."

As put by many of those working in SARM, they are the "eyes and ears for flying and training operations".

"We ensure there are checks and balances in reference to aircrew training requirements are in line with Air Force Instructions," said Master Sgt. Kevin McFadden, 80th FS operations superintendent. "Our job is to inform the director of operations of the status of our pilots."

The SARM office is used for tracking information and resources such as ground training, flying training, types of sorties and missions that have been completed, etc. Having the SARM office also helps document what the squadron has done so far (missions, etc.), and is essential for the training and evaluations offices. For example, both sections use our data to determine if the squadron is on the right path to being combat ready.

"Working in SARM really has given me a full-circle look at the mission," said the 80th's Williams.

"What we do directly influences the mission readiness of our pilots, and ultimately the safety of our country," Murcia added. "We ensure our pilots are fully capable and trained to provide for and defend our country."