TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --
Lines are a common part of everyday life; from standing in line at a gas station, a grocery store, rides at an amusement park or an airport terminal. As a member of the Air Force, a line most experience is the personnel deployment function line.
"The PDF is a multi-functional entity consisting of representatives from different agencies around the base organized as a processing activity designed to ensure deploying personnel are properly accounted for and prepared to deploy," said Staff Sgt. Sasha Alejandro, 325th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge and evaluations and PDF NCO in charge.
The PDF team works to maintain the line to ensure that personnel are able to meet all mission requirements.
"Our personnel deploy all around the world," said Capt. Ruth Afiesimama, 325th FSS manpower and personnel flight commander and PDF officer in charge. "If the PDF is not organized, then we fail to ensure that our members are taken care of when they leave Tyndall. When our members deploy, they should be fully equipped to meet their deployed mission requirements without worrying about medical and administrative home station matters."
During Tyndall's largest exercise to date in mid Aug., a total of 277 personnel processed through the line.
Once the deployers arrive at the facility, PDF personnel take 100 percent accountability of the group by doing a roll call on the bus, which transports deployers to the facility.
Prior to entering the facility to process the line, deployers receive a brief from 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron personnel who outline prohibited items and security scan procedures.
After proceeding through the security scanning area, deployers process through the line where personnel provide eligibility checks, last-minute services and information as required.
"At a minimum, PDF regulations require a personnel and medical eligibility station," Afiesimama said. "With full representation, the PDF team includes individuals from the military personnel section, finance, airman and family readiness, chapel staff, public health, immunizations, mental health and legal."
After processing through the line, members receive a deployment brief where representatives from the line and additional representatives, as required, provide essential information. Once the briefing portion is complete, the troop commander is briefed on their role and responsibilities for maintaining accountability of the group.
"It is important that PDF line personnel are fully trained on our roles and responsibilities and remain engaged while members process the line," Afiesimama said. "Across the board, Team Tyndall performed phenomenally."