MRSP Airmen key components to B-52 mission Published Nov. 18, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The B-52H Stratofortress has served the Air Force for more than 50 years and carried out thousands of missions. However, without support-Airmen, such as those with the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Mobility Readiness Spares Packages shop, the 5th Bomb Wing's deadliest asset may not have been as successful as it has been. "The MRSP shop is vital to the mission here," said Maj. Lee Nelson, 5th LRS commander. "These Airmen oversee the readiness of 'kits' of rapidly-deployable spare parts to support our B-52s both at home-station and while deployed." There are four kits: independent, dependent, phase and single integrated operations plan maintained by the MRSP element here. The independent kit is made to support six planes for 30 days and contains high-use items ranging from electronic indicators to wheels and tires. It is used when the 5th BW is the lead or only B-52 unit at a deployed location. The dependent kit is used if the B-52s deploy to another B-52 unit. The phase kit supports the phase maintenance operations while the SIOP kit supports the B-52's nuclear mission. In an effort to manage the readiness of the kits, MRSP Airmen conduct inventory validations every week, according to Staff Sgt. Cynthia Chanlatte, 5th LRS MRSP supervisor and recent Guam deployer. "We monitor and inspect the parts and supplies to ensure they are ready to support our aircraft both at home station and while deployed," said Sergeant Chanlatte. MRSP works closely with the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 5th Maintenance Squadron's Combat Oriented Supply Organizations, known as COSOs. MRSP Airmen supply COSOs with the parts they need to complete mission requirements. A database is maintained to ensure the Air Force knows at all times what parts are stocked and what parts need to be ordered. "Our relationship with COSO and supply management works like a well-oiled machine," said Sergeant Chanlatte. While finding out what parts are needed and ensuring they get ordered is important, getting those parts to the aircraft, wherever they may be at the time, is also vital to mission success. "5th LRS Airmen at home station continue to support our B-52's by providing parts from MRSP to our jets here and by shipping parts to Andersen AFB and Barksdale AFB, and other bases as required to meet mission needs," said Maj. Nelson. So whether flying at home or while deployed overseas, the B-52 is able to continue its successful service to the Air Force and Minot AFB thanks in part to the dedication of the Airmen from the 5th LRS MRSP shop.