ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
When Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jesse Lora, Camp Pendleton public affairs media chief, flew into Andrews last week for duty at the Navy Yard, he relied on the 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron shuttle to get him around base.
"Look at all the gear I have to carry," he said pointing to a large, fatigue-green pack sitting on the seat across the aisle from him. "If I had to carry this around from the passenger terminal to lodging and then to the Main Gate, it would have been challenging for me to get around, to say the least."
When he arrived, Sergeant Lora noticed that his orders did not include provisions for a rental car, so he came to know the base shuttle and its schedule well.
"I think the shuttle offers excellent service - the drivers are courteous and the bus is on time," he said.
The drivers, called vehicle operators, drive a 15-passenger shuttle around base for the convenience of those who live and work at Andrews; however, the shuttle service is primarily offered for those military members going from one work site to another.
Starting their day in the early morning hours, the vehicle operators begin their first loop at 6:25 a.m. at the Main Gate near the Visitor Control Center. The shuttle then makes its way the Headquarters Building, Bldg. 1535. This stop was recently moved to the overflow parking lot located behind Chapel 1. From there, the shuttle proceeds to Malcolm Grow Medical Center, the Gateway Inn, the PAX Terminal and the base commissary. After the commissary stop, the shuttle makes its way back to the Main Gate.
One shuttle runs at a time and goes from the first stop at the Main Gate to its last stop at the commissary in around 20 minutes, from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days per week.
"The shuttle service provides the capability to transport groups of individuals on official business between offices on the installation," said Lloyd Chesley, 316 LRS vehicle operation manager. "The base shuttle is a recognized requirement for mission support. The use of the shuttle reduces the requirement for recurring dispatch vehicles and service is provided fare-free."
The shuttle routes service office and work centers around base, and the routes determined every six months when interval surveys help determine which stops are necessary.
One common misperception among shuttle riders is that the vehicle operators can stop anywhere along the route.
"Some riders are not familiar with DoD regulations and policies regarding usage. Safety is our top priority and part of that is loading and unloading riders in authorized pickup locations. The only places the shuttle can legally stop are the designated pickup and drop-off points on the assigned route. Any perception of wrong usage providing this service can result in vehicle misuse - it is key that we follow the instructions for safety as specified by the Air Force," Mr. Chesley said.
Mr. Chesley said that authorized users of the shuttle include military personnel and DoD employees and off-duty military personnel, civilians, dependents, retirees and visitors can ride the shuttle on a "space available" basis. The shuttle is available to military members to support the mission.
"The 316 LRS implements the Air Force Wingman Policy daily," Mr. Chesley said. "We make sure our Airmen are supported and no Airman gets left behind through the service our vehicle operators provide Andrews."
Day in and day out, no Airman is left behind because of the Andrews shuttle, or as in the case of Sergeant Lora, no Marine is left behind either.