Vehicle Operations drives Keesler's mission

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Allanna Jones
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Ever wonder how Airmen without a vehicle get around base? Or how students on temporary duty get to class from off-base lodging? It involves wheels.

The 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations flight plays a vital role in the daily mission at Keesler.

The flight is in charge of all transportation for the base, mainly providing a shuttle service for the students living on base and for the temporary duty students staying at local hotels.

"We are even responsible for maintaining all white top vehicles on base," said Staff Sgt. Michael Cuellar, 81st vehicle operations control center supervisor.

The flight makes weekly trips to Eglin Air Force Base's Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office to drop off or exchange equipment. On top of that, daily trips are made to car pool Airmen in need.

"At 4:00 a.m., we dispatch drivers to more than 20 hotels to pick up and deliver TDY students to class," said Senior Airman Jake Denslow, dispatcher.

Recently, the vehicle operations flight has implemented cost-conscious measures in order to cut down unnecessary costs.

"Keesler now has six hybrid vehicles which have cut down costs approximately $4,000 annually" said Cuellar. "We also reduced the on-base shuttle service to once an hour due to low rider flow and fuel consumption."