7th LRS vehicle operators are “jacks of all trades”

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  There are many jobs in the Air Force that require you to have a wide skill range. The 7th Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle operators are no exception.

Those who work at the 7th LRS are responsible for moving the enormous amount of supplies it takes to run a base. Everything from aircraft parts to aircrews are moved through their warehouses.

Airmen, such as, Airman 1st Class Robin Medders, 7th LRS vehicle operator, need to be able to utilize different vehicles to complete their daily missions.

"I'm qualified to operate pretty much any vehicle on base," Medders said.

The supply Airmen specialize in more than moving cargo. With a large fast-paced squadron, LRS has to utilize their comprehensive toolbox of skills.

"When it comes down to it, you're a jack of all trades," said Master Sgt. Benjamin Turner, 7th LRS vehicle operations superintendent. "It's never a boring job. You can come in on a Monday and you'll be driving a tractor trailer, then Tuesday you'll operate a forklift and the next day you can do routine maintenance on each of your vehicles. Occasionally we even get to drive distinguished visitors around base- it's something new every day."

One of the most important duties the 7th LRS has is driving distinguished visitors around base. A lot of time and effort is put towards the preparation of the visit to make sure everything goes accordingly.

"When it comes to DVs, we do our dry runs a few days prior, it doesn't matter if the base is shut down or not, we're still practicing," Turner said. "When it's time to pick them up, we'll show up 30 minutes prior and we'll be standing there outside the vehicle waiting to greet the DV- heat, cold, rain, snow. We'll be there."

Medders had the opportunity to drive Lt. Gen. Tod Wolters, 12th Air Force commander, and Col. Michael Bob Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander, before and after Starr's change of command ceremony.

"I love driving the DV's around base. If I could drive one around every day I would," Meddler said. "It makes you feel like you're doing something important because they're relying on you to take them where they need to be."


Vehicle operators play a vital role in making a good first impression of the base to the distinguished visitor.

"When a distinguished visitor steps off of their flight and sees an Airman whose uniform is a mess, doesn't salute and is standing by a dirty vehicle, it's not only a reflection of that Airman and his unit, but of the entire wing," Turner said. "That's why we only choose our sharpest Airmen."

The needs of the Air Force are constantly changing, but with their large inventory of skills and adaptability, the 7th LRS will have all the tools they need to their complete their mission.

"It's not a slow-paced job," Turner said. "It definitely keeps you on your toes."