JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
At times, units that are important pieces of the Air Force backbone cannot be found on an installation map. They don't always have a sign in front of their building, notifying passersby of their presence. However, what a visitor may find is a team that stands on the ready to fulfill any need they are able to.
At Joint Base Andrews, the 759th Logistics Readiness Flight is one of those units.
Today the 759 LRF's mission is to ensure rapid movement of passenger and cargo shipments to, within, and from the continental U.S. and U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command.
"Our duties include aerial port operations, cargo movement, logistics and planning, vehicle maintenance, deploying and receiving cargo and troops," said Captain Jerry Snider, 759 LRF staff logistics officer.
When the unit was established in 1985, it was called the 1st Transportation Liaison Flight. Back then, the main mission was to resupply European allies in the event that a war broke out.
"Members were sent to the United Kingdom to work jointly to transport ammunition, other supplies and personnel throughout Europe," said Lt. Col. Eric Chang, 759 LRF senior staff logistics officer.
Once the Iron Curtain fell after the end of the Cold War in 1991, the mission of the unit was reassessed.
The name was changed again at a time of peace to focus more on the home station. The 1 TLF became the 459th Transportation Flight in 1995.
Though the focus had changed again, the unit still fulfilled any USAFE need in times of peace, crisis and war.
"The [459 TF] deployed five officers to the USAFE Command in support of Operation ALLIED FORCE," said Colonel Chang. "The members were responsible for ensuring that all transportation needs regarding both personnel and supplies were met."
When the numbered Air Force commands sought to establish war-fighting-specific units to serve major command needs, the 459 TF was sculpted once more.
"The [459 TF] was designated to become the 759 LRF in 2002," said Colonel Chang.
The unit began to the 3rd Numbered Air Force as well as USAFE.
Over time, the mission was no longer transportation-specific.
Though the 759 LRF has shifted focus since the unit's beginnings to encompass all aspects of logistics, the collective of knowledge of these highly trained and seasoned officers has remained constant.
Today the unit is comprised of 14 reservists who are not only responsible for logistics duties, but also participate in annual joint exercises often acting as liaisons, scenario developers, and exercise coordinators. 759 LRF members derive from diverse backgrounds to provide any support possible and have been a constant force of seasoned logistics experts.