JOINT BASE CHARLESTON –
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- With protective equipment in high demand globally, members of the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Individual Protective Equipment section are no strangers to disseminating the right gear for optimal personnel protection.
The Airmen at IPE are responsible for inspecting, storing and distributing the equipment for service members who are deploying and those on aeronautical orders. In addition to these duties, they have also been outfitting medical personnel throughout the current crisis.
“We’ve recently outfitted 64 medics with over 2,000 articles of protective equipment and distributed close to 700 mask to personnel around Joint Base Charleston,” said Airman 1st Class David Bell, 628th LRS, IPE technician.
As deployment restrictions ease, the team is still remaining cognizant of social distancing and performing mission essential duties with a limited number of personnel per shift.
“We’ve noticed an increase in operational tempo but have had to stagger our staff, our Airmen have stepped up and definitely risen to the occasion,” said Tech. Sgt. Sean O’Connor, 628th LRS, IPE supervisor. “Throughout the crisis we have been outfitting personnel from Joint Base Charleston and other duty stations with the protective equipment they need to accomplish their missions.
The IPE section here at Charleston is also aiding other IPE sections through the continental United States buy helping supply equipment they themselves may be running low on.
“As of late, procuring the necessary gear can be a challenge but we’ve been able to supply a few other bases the equipment necessary to supply their mission essential deployers to carry out their mission,” said O’Connor. “
The Airmen at IPE are committed to ensuring the protection Airmen and are working to ensure readiness even through these uncertain times.