WRM: The backbone of Misawa

by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/15/2013 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- In the military, we face threats on a daily basis whether it be war or natural disaster. In times of crisis, the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Vehicle Maintenance Flight's War Readiness Materials' section is ready to spring into action on a moment's notice by being poised with a well-maintained fleet of specialty vehicles to help many missions carry on.

Their main duties consist of determining the overall condition of vehicles and correcting deficiencies by replacing worn or damaged parts with new or reconditioned ones.

"I get a great sense of satisfaction about what I do in the military," said Airman 1st Class Jeff Louis, 35 LRS vehicle maintenance apprentice. "I take pride in maintaining vehicles. By the time I finish performing maintenance on them, they are 100 percent ready to perform their respective functions."

In Louis' opinion, if vehicle maintenance personnel weren't around to take care of vehicles, it could present a big problem.

"I think the WRM section and the vehicles we maintain are essential for the base," said Louis. "If something happened and we weren't there, like during an operation, then the base would probably have to request vehicles from somewhere else."

In an emergency situation, specialty vehicles may be needed on the spot, which is why the WRM section maintains the fleet daily.

"Since we are here and ready to go at any time, we're prepared for any vehicle requests the base might need," said Louis. "Regardless of the timeline they give us, we will get it done."

All of the vehicles in the WRM section are postured for any crisis scenarios, base exercises, or operations in the Pacific region, whether in wartime or peacetime.

"If war were ever to break out here in the Pacific, we could supply these vehicles to help build new base infrastructures or anything else they are needed for," said Master Sgt. Michael Brower 35 LRS vehicle maintenance section chief.

Because of the WRM sections presence, the base is considered a humanitarian response unit. Due to the variety of vehicles stored in WRM, the 35th Fighter Wing is equipped to respond during any disaster by providing materials handling vehicles, ambulances and personnel transport vehicles.

"A lot of our vehicles were used during Operation Tomodachi," said Brower. "The forklifts we have were especially needed for the aid we provided. They helped transport all the water and food we had coming through."

WRM is sponsored by Pacific Air Forces, so if Misawa's vehicles are ever needed elsewhere in the region, they could be sent to those locations.

"I think WRM is very essential to the Air Force," said Louis. "As long as we have the equipment and the people like us to maintain them, we'll be ready to go and assist wherever we are needed."

The WRM section represents the backbone of the wing during disaster times and special operations when specialty vehicles are needed.

"There is no greater enjoyment than knowing what I do for a living has the potential to save lives and protect those in need," said Louis. "I invest all my knowledge and resources into maintaining those vehicles for that reason."