PRP a way of life for some Airmen

  • Published
  • By Lori Burling Alves
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs civilian staff writer
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  At Incirlik Air Base more than 300 Airmen are on "PRP" status--a status that separates them from hundreds of other Airmen on the base.

"For some Airmen, PRP is a way of life," said Tech. Sgt. Francis Impastato, 39th Air Base Wing Personnel Reliability Program manager. "PRP status means that these Airmen have a direct role in the surety mission here at Incirlik. They go through continual evaluations to ensure they are providing a safe and secure work environment."

The purpose of PRP is to ensure that each airman performing duties that involve the surety mission meets the reliability standards of the program. PRP managers as well as each airman assigned to PRP are obligated to report to the certifying official, or squadron commander, any behavior or circumstance about themselves or others that may cause a decline in job performance. The PRP airmen here for the most part are members of the 39th Air Base Wing Command Post or the 39th Security Forces, Maintenance, Communications, or Civil Engineer Squadrons. Before an airman can be put on PRP, he/she must undergo numerous tests and evaluations, such as a personal security investigation, a medical evaluation and a physical, said Sergeant Impastato.

"To ensure reliability safety, an Airman must meet certain PRP qualifications," said Sergeant Impastato. "PRP monitors must look at Airmen's ability to work in an emergency situation, physical fitness, mental stability, and their performance reports".

Once Airmen are on PRP, they are monitored on a daily basis by their unit managers and outside agencies. For example, all medical records for PRP-status Airmen are stored separately from the rest of records maintained at Incirlik. The unit managers and PRP monitors look for Airmen being prescribed medications that could hinder their working ability and whether or not Airmen are receiving mental counseling for issues that could affect their job performance. Off-duty behavior is also monitored. If an Airman is involved in an alcohol-related incident, they are immediately removed from PRP status until the investigation is complete.

"ARIs, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependency are all potentially disqualifying behavior. Additionally, money problems are also looked at," said Sergeant Impastato. "PRP can be very demanding. It really is a way of life. PRP positions are vital here. These Airmen have access to and technical knowledge of critical weapons and equipment."

Senior Airman Nolan Palazola, 39th Security Forces Squadron security manager, and Tech. Sgt. Dondi White monitor approximately 200 SF personnel who are on PRP. All SF patrols and postings are PRP certified, said Airman Palazola.

"PRP is the number one priority for the cops here. We have the base's largest population of PRP members," said Airman Palazola. "Law enforcement is vital, but PRP definitely takes precedence."

On most days, Airman Palazola receives calls regarding PRP status for his airmen. These PRP notifications can range from medical conditions to disciplinary actions taken by supervisors. For instance, if a PRP airman is prescribed medication the airman would most likely be suspended from PRP status.

"Our job becomes very important at this point," said Airman Palazola. "We ensure proper notifications are made to ensure that non-PRP personnel are not posted in PRP positions, and that individuals who have had their arming [ability to carry a weapon] status taken away do not receive a weapon."

Airman Palazola is also in charge of scheduling the airman's one-on-one interview and evaluation with the PRP certifying official, which in this case is Lt. Col. Collins, the 39th Security Forces Squadron commander, and completing the necessary paperwork for security clearance badges. Although unit PRP managers gather all information regarding PRP airmen, only the certifying official has the ability to suspend or terminate PRP status.

"PRP positions are vital to Incirlik and that's why the program is a constant focus for us," said Sergeant Impastato.