New tool helps PERSCO teams support deployed Airmen Published July 20, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Steve Grever Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Force officials are testing a new capability to expedite personnel assistance deployed total force Airmen receive from Personnel Support for Contingency Operations teams. PERSCO teams at deployed locations in the U.S. Air Forces Central's area of responsibility will be phased in to receive access to the Air Force Case Management System by the end of the year. This system will help PERSCO teams coordinate with the Air Force Personnel Center to resolve personnel inquiries. A deployed PERSCO team at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, is the first unit to have access to CMS. While members are encouraged to use the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil or call the TFSC directly, some deployed Airmen may seek guidance from their deployed PERSCO teams to assist them with personnel issues. Instead of working these issues by phone or e-mail, PERSCO team members can now use a centralized case management system to coordinate with AFPC. "While PERSCO teams do whatever it takes to assist Airmen in need, they are currently not equipped or staffed to provide home-station military personnel section support in the AOR," said Capt. Paul Sortor, the TFSC-Forward's officer in charge. "PERSCO expends a great deal of time coordinating home-station support through use of telephone and e-mail across multiple time zones. These methods have not proven to be highly effective or timely in meeting the needs of deployed Airmen." The primary mission of PERSCO teams is to support the combatant commander by providing force accountability, casualty reporting and sustainment functions to assist in managing the deployed force. Centralizing the Air Force's personnel support capabilities is one of the key components in transforming personnel services for total force Airmen. "Centralizing this function should expedite TFSC's processing times and provide agile combat support by allowing PERSCO teams to focus on their war-time mission," said Col. James Davis, the TFSC-SA's director. This latest test is one of several initiatives the Air Force has launched in recent months to enhance personnel services for deployed total force Airmen. Some other notable improvements include centralizing personnel functions like processing reenlistments and campaign medals. Active duty and civilian deployed members requiring personnel assistance can call the TFSC at DSN 318-665-5000, select active duty and press the pound key to reach the dedicated deployment cell. Guard and Reserve members can reach the TFSC by calling DSN 312-926-6528. On Aug. 1, the Guard and Reserve number will be replaced with DSN 312-847-3294. For more information on personnel services, visit the AFPERS website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil. Users will need to set up a new AFPERS account and access the site with a common access card or username and password.