Deployed maintainers return damaged aircraft to combat operations

by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

hits the fan, we've got to be ready to go."And ready to go they were when recently a C-130J Super Hercules landed at a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan."It was so damaged that we couldn't save it and get it flying again," said Hartley. "So we assisted in the salvage operations."Hartley and his team were able to recover 250 components totaling more than $20 million retrieving items ranging from engines and propellers to avionics equipment and other electrical items."Those avionics boxes can cost anywhere from $100,000 to more than $1 million," he said. "So we were able to get it all boxed up and shipped home, effectively saving the Air Force millions of dollars."Long days aside, the mission wasn't easy."During our time there, the base sustained a number of indirect fire hits," said Hartley. "The particular FOB we were at is a high-threat area getting mortar attacks every other day."The aircraft still had nearly 3,500 pounds of fuel on board, making it vitally important to maintain situational awareness."It was scary," Hartley said. "We actually dug a fox hole and when the alarms sounded, we'd hit the deck running."ABDR is a sticky business, but someone has to respond, repair and get Air Force jets combat ready in the war time environment."This ABDR unit is the only major package for the entire U.S. Central Command area of responsibility," said Hartley. "It's a huge obligation, but we're definitely here and eager to help. We repair jets to get them back in the fight. I mean, how cool is that?"

Airmen arming deployed defenders

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/29/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The basic goal of a security forces specialist is to protect U.S. Air Force people, property and resources. While defenders have hand-to-hand combat training, their effectiveness is only enhanced by the weapons they carry and without the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron armory here, these weapons would not be a part of their tool kits."The purpose of the armory is to hold all of the defender's weapons and supplies they need to perform their duties on a day-to-day basis," said Airman 1st Class Jillian Ward, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron staff armorer. "My duty at the armory is to arm up all the defenders."Much like services Airmen account for all the food served on base, armory Airmen account for all the weapons, ammunition and any extra supplies and equipment defenders may need to keep the base safe and secure. When they first come on shift, Ward said they conduct changeover tasks with the last shift making sure they know exactly what has been issued and what is now being placed in their care."We have to take accountability of all the equipment in the armory, such as weapons, ammo, night vision goggles, etc.," said Ward, who is deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and hails from Sunbury, Ohio. "We have to keep track of everything issued and turned in on equipment trackers."These equipment trackers, she said, are then scanned into their computers and organized into folders for reference later."Once everything is accounted for, we setup all the windows so we can do issue and turn in in a timely fashion," Ward said explaining the quicker they get issue the weapons, the quicker they can get on post and relieve that post's last shift."I like it, it's a good job to have," Ward continued. "It's good to know we are helping them out and supporting the flight by giving them what they need to go out there and do their job."Ward's coworker, Senior Airman Jamela Nuriddin, said she also enjoys being a part of such an important mission."I am part of the wing's vital protection mission," Nuriddin said, who is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and a Raleigh, N.C., native. "If we weren't here, everything in the security forces mission realistically wouldn't run. Airmen need weapons to fight, radios to talk and night vision devices to be able to see during nighttime conditions."Everyone sees the defenders on post protecting the base, but it's the armorers who enable that mission."We're the behind the scenes step to the mission," continued Nuriddin. "We make sure everything is ready for when the flights need to go out, accomplish the mission and defend the base."

Women’s Equality Day celebrated at Grand Slam Wing

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

message," said Flores, a 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and an Azusa, Calif., native. "The colonel spoke on the topic of women's equality, but with an extra emphasis on our advancement in the military."In 2013 alone, women in the military have seen many strides, especially in combat and leadership roles.Earlier this year, the defense department announced the inclusion of women in 237,000 combat positions historically off-limits to women by 2016. Additionally, on Aug. 1, President Barack Obama announced his nomination for Deborah Lee James to succeed the Honorable Michael B. Donley as Secretary of the Air Force, a position never before filled by a woman."On this Women's Equality Day, we honor those who fought tirelessly for a woman's right to vote," said Valerie B. Jarrett, a Senior Advisor to the President in her www.whitehouse.gov blog post for the day. "But we know there is much more work to do. Let us keep marching forward together."A member of the planning committee for the 379th AEW's celebration, 1st Lt. Nicole Tripputi, said this remembrance is very important because not only was it a turning point for women's rights, but also reminds all service members the importance of everyone's contributions to the mission."It paved the way for women's rights," said Tripputi, the 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron commodities flight commander deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and a Lincoln, Calif., native. "The observance of Women's Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women's continuing efforts toward full equality."

Mobility Airmen making a difference down range

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs8/23/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In nearly 70 years, airlift operations have come a long way since the early days of the Military Airlift Transport Service and mobility pioneer, Lt. Gen. William Tunner, but one thing has remained the same -- Mobility Airmen are dedicated to answering the call whether at home or deployed to the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron here."Our Airmen know they aren't simply building and moving cargo, sometimes they are ensuring supplies like the blood used in transfusions to save sons or daughters, fathers and mothers, gets downrange to where it's needed most," said Lt. Col. Andrew Purath, the 8th EAMS commander. "They are readying the very basics of our current conflict that will signal to our enemies they can go no further."Keeping with tradition, these mobility Airmen are following in Tunner's footsteps. The general invented many of the air mobility systems, standards and maintenance processes used today. While the technologies aren't quite the same, mobility Airmen continue paving the way for those who will come after them, just as Tunner did. Likewise, Purath said he refers to the general regularly as the original "Ocho.""His work marked the beginning of the air mobility system," the colonel said. "And the Mighty Ocho is the continuation and fulfillment of many of Tunner's aspirations."But in the end, as Tunner said and Purath echoes, it's all about their "amazing Airmen" who support a variety of missions and units in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility."We're not flying supplies to just the big, established bases; we also fly to the really forward deployed guys at FOBs way out in the middle of nowhere," said Tech. Sgt. David Young, the 8th EAMS Air Mobility Control Center flight chief deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. "The supplies we provide them are their lifeline."On average, 8th EAMS handles more than 7,000 tons of cargo, 6,600 passengers with 250 tons of baggage and more than 725 aircraft each month making them the busiest mobility hub in the AOR."Coordination is our game," said Staff Sgt. John Hubicsak, an 8th EAMS air terminal operations center information controller deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "We have the most diverse mission sets transit through here every day."From personnel and heavy cargo transports to air drops and combat cargo sorties, the 8th EAMS in some fashion supports every Operation Enduring Freedom mission across the AOR."We're extremely vital; without air transportation, who knows how long it would take to convoy all this cargo to these remote locations," said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Jweinat, an 8th EAMS ramp services technician deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. "We can have it [the cargo] there in a moment's notice and we're responsible for making sure it gets on the plane."Whether it's hazardous cargo, blood shipments, ammo and explosives, the 8th EAMS ensures life-sustaining materials make it to their destinations on-time. And while combat cargo is an important aspect their mission here, processing passengers is equally critical.Passengers process through the 8th EAMS passenger services section at the Air Mobility Command passenger terminal here. The passenger terminal averages more than 85,000 passengers with 3,200 tons of accompanying baggage and nearly 1,000 distinguished visitors annually."What we do is vital as far as getting passengers in and out of the country," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Deckert, the 8th EAMS passenger services supervisor deployed from Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, N.C. "We are one of the largest hubs for personnel transiting in and out of U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. When we do our job right, people get to where they need to go, whether that is downrange or home to family and friends."However, as with every Air Force mission, jets would not fly without the hard-working maintainers who ensure these airframes last for many generations to come. One of the largest career fields in the Air Force, maintenance include crew chiefs and engine mechanics to the consolidated tool kit and parts suppliers. Together, Ocho maintainers keep nearly $1.5 billion of strategic airlifters flying while sustaining a 90 percent departure reliability rate.The 8th EAMS' heritage as Airmen, maintainers, porters and controllers is an unbroken chain binding those who have come before and stirs the unit to build on what they've achieved, said Purath."With great tenacity and skill our Airmen are ensuring there are many more tomorrows to come for their brothers and sisters in arms even further downrange," Purath continued. "They know what they do matters; they know it's much bigger than themselves."The Mighty Ocho is AMC's first expeditionary air mobility squadron and according to their commander, they couldn't be happier to be here providing support to all service members in this AOR."We're humbled to be a mission partner with the Grand Slam Wing," the colonel said. "That's nearly 330 Airmen who in unison will always tell you, 'You need it, we move it!'"[Editor's note: This article is part eight of an eight part series highlighting the unique missions accomplished by the Airmen of 8th EAMS.]

Maggie Rose ‘shakes it up’ at Grand Slam Wing

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

was basically in my backyard growing up, so I have a huge appreciation for the sacrifices you all make," she said. "We're just super thankful for everything you do to keep us safe."

Mortuary affairs sends fallen warriors home

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs8/21/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- A solemn dignified transfer of remains is conducted upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del., from the aircraft to a transfer vehicle to honor those who have given their lives in service to America. These fallen warriors, however, have stops along the way including the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here on their way home to family."What we do is ensure these fallen warriors get home to their families, friends and loved ones as quickly and safely as possible," said Tech. Sgt. Harvey Greenwood, the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron mortuary affairs NCO in charge deployed from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and a Yazoo City, Miss., native.While there are only two mortuary affairs technicians locally, they're supported by services Airmen volunteers."We have a 'Fallen Warrior Detail' consisting of six to 12 members who carry the body transfer cases to and from the aircraft," Greenwood said.After the cases have been secured, mortuary affairs jumps into action."The sooner we can get the member ready for transport again, the sooner they can be home and offer their families some peace," said Master Sgt. Michael Trace, the 379th EFSS mortuary affairs superintendent deployed from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and a Hartville, Ohio, native.A dignified transfer is the process by which, upon the return from the theater of operations to the United States, the remains of fallen military members are transferred from the aircraft to a waiting vehicle and then to the port mortuary. The dignified transfer is not a ceremony; rather, it is a solemn movement of the transfer case by a carry team of military personnel from the fallen member's respective service. A dignified transfer is conducted for every U.S. military member who dies in the theater of operation while in the service of their country. A senior ranking officer of the fallen member's service presides over each dignified transfer.Reminiscing, Trace said the greatest sense of accomplishment that he's done a job well is when the grieving family member comes to him and thanks him for returning their warrior home."Our job is one of the most stressful and rewarding at the same time," said Trace. "At the end of the day, when that family member walks up to you with tears of thanks -- that's what it's all about."However, being deployed ushers in a whole new set of emotions each mortuary affairs technician learns to cope with in their own ways.And according to Trace, it takes a special person to fill their shoes."We're hand-selected by our squadron leadership," Trace said."After chosen, we attend a five-day course designed to better prepare us in handling the technical aspects of mortuary affairs," added Greenwood.The course focuses on the procedures for case file management; administrative functions; search and recovery operations; and honor guard."It's a course that pulls Airmen from across the Air Force and all from force support squadrons," continued Greenwood. "You have to be in the Services career field to fill this position."After graduating from the course, mortuary affairs' Air Force specialty code gains a modifier showing they are qualified to accomplish the mortuary affairs mission at home and overseas.It's a challenging job, Trace and Greenwood said, but they're proud to take part in sending their fallen comrades home."They and their family made the ultimate sacrifice," said Greenwood. "We're here to make sure their loved one is handled with dignity, honor and respect in care, service and support for the families."