Consolidated tool kit enables deployed maintainers, aircraft

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Mobility Airmen process deployed personnel for travel

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs8/9/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- While ramp services loads cargo on cargo jets, passenger services loads ... You caught that? Yes, they load passengers and their baggage!The 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron's passenger services section averages more than 85,000 passengers with 3,200 tons of accompanying baggage and nearly 1,000 distinguished visitors annually."We're all one team," said Master Sgt. Trevor Olson, the 8th EAMS passenger services superintendent here on a one year remote tour. "Passengers come through us and we work with all the other agencies within the aerial port of debarkation office to get personnel on their way to wherever they need to go."As air transportation specialists within the passenger services section, Airmen review travel documentation for validity and accuracy and check in passengers and baggage."It's really interesting," said Airman 1st Class Ryan Cameron, an 8th EAMS passenger services specialist deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "We come across a lot of interesting people and unique situations, and we have to figure out the best way to solve the issue and help the customer in a complete and efficient manner."Much like their counterparts across 8th EAMS, passenger services Airmen establish procedures for processing passengers and loading them and cargo aboard aircraft, and preparing records and reports. They also establish procedures for passenger and aircraft clearance through international border clearance agencies, as well as check in passengers, process, schedule, transport and escort passengers to and from aircraft."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."Passenger services is in full compliance with the federal Transportation Security Administration providing effective and efficient security for passengers and freight transportation across the globe."TSA prohibits a lot of items," Olson said. "So we help folks understand what they can and can't carry-on the jet with them. We may be at a military installation now, but eventually you're going to transfer to a civilian aircraft and we want everyone to be as prepared as they can be for the trip."As the face of 8th EAMS, passenger services maintains a high-level of professionalism in-line with Air Force core values, Olson said."We spend a lot of time focusing on our customer service skills, dress and appearance, and our facilities," said Olson. "Our facility is as shiny as can be because we want transiting personnel to feel comfortable here."With floors shiny enough to see your reflection, Olson explained how his Airmen strip and wax it regularly so the 'face of the base' maintains appearances. On top of shiny floors, the passenger terminal also has free wireless internet, a United Service Organizations, Inc., center with luxury recliners and couches and gaming systems, a distinguished visitor's lounge and brand new seating for hundreds waiting to fly to their next destination."Just last week we moved nearly 700 passengers in five hours on two different aircraft," Olson said. "On top of making sure everyone has a ticket, we're screening bags and luggage, and loading these items onto the aircraft so everyone has what they need at their next stop."Rated as "Best Terminal in the AOR" in November 2012 by a Multi-Major Command Staff Assistance Visit and a 98 percent customer approval rating through the Air Force's online Interactive Customer Evaluation system, the Air Mobility Command's passenger terminal truly lives up the "Mighty OCHO's" creed of "You need, we move it!"[Editor's note: This article is part six of an eight part series highlighting the unique missions accomplished by the Airmen of 8th EAMS.]

Vehicles on the road, iron in the air

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- With more than 45 different airframes in the Air Force's inventory totaling more than 5,500 aircraft, each one needs expert teams, equipment and ground vehicles to keep them ready to fly at a moment's notice."We keep vehicles on the road to get 'iron' in the air," said Chief Master Sgt. David Matos, the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle fleet manager deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan. "We've got to keep the mission 'rolling' -- it's all about getting those planes in the air."Vehicle management has more than 75 Airmen assigned on six-month rotations. This crew handles an average of 450 work orders a month, with 4,830 repair actions totaling nearly 6,200 hours on the job while maintaining a 91 percent mission capable rate, i.e. in working order, for the entire fleet. Matos said this beat's the U.S. Air Forces Central Command's standard by six percent."The typical maintenance we handle here includes everything from the mobile calls on flightline type vehicles to engine rebuilds, hydraulics, cylinder repairs and rebuilds," said Master Sgt. Richard Hamilton, the 379th ELRS vehicle management foreman deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. "The vehicles include everything from your pickup trucks all the way up there through your Tunner 60K aircraft cargo loader."Hamilton said his team is responsible for the bumper to bumper maintenance on every one of those vehicles and for ensuring a rapid turnaround rate."Our 24-hour turnaround rate from the point the customer brings the vehicle into us to where we return the vehicle to our customer is on average 69.9 percent. This is incredible for 1,100 vehicles valued at approximately $182 million in a deployed location, where we have every part we get shipped to us."Whether it's a gasoline or diesel engine, a transmission, drive train or an air conditioning system, these Airmen's expertise is vital to the wing's success."I've been deployed eight times and never in my career worked with a harder working group of Airmen," the chief said. "For instance, my guys repaired 33 vehicles in one week -- I've never been at a place that's happened, ever."Vehicle management Airmen inspect, troubleshoot and repair vehicles, schedule and coordinate vehicle maintenance for the entire motor pool and are knowledgeable in the latest computer technology to keep track of the maintenance of all the vehicles on base. They are also responsible for long-range forecasting of maintenance needs based on their knowledge of the vehicles and the people who drive them, and systematically analyze malfunctions by visual and auditory examination or through the use of test equipment."We represent seven different career fields here including everything from our lease maintenance program, customer service, fire truck mechanics, refueling mechanics, etc.," he said. "When people think of vehicle maintenance they think of a mechanic, but there's a lot more to it than just turning wrenches. There are also fleet management personnel keeping track of all those vehicles while completing all the data collections and schedule all the vehicles in for annual maintenance."Vehicle management not only maintains vehicles, but also keeps records for all vehicles and regulates the lease management program as well. This program oversees a lease vehicle fleet size of more than 650 vehicles from nearly 50 organizations across the base."What we do is keep vehicles on the road," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Grove, the 379th ELRS lease vehicle management NCO in charge deployed from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. "We run the base's vehicle control program that helps the Air Force manage what we have to do to keep the vehicles rolling. What we do empowers our unit vehicle control officers so they can accomplish what they need to in their own unit."The vehicle maintenance world at the 379th AEW is vital and according to Hamilton, "Nothing moves without mechanics.""Our vehicle maintenance touches every part of the base," Hamilton said. "Everything happening on this base can't be done without a vehicle. We have more than 160 mission critical vehicles here. Critical vehicles are only dedicated to launching aircraft, sustaining sorties, fire trucks or refuelers, and your 60Ks that load the cargo and material handling equipment. We maintain a 91 percent critical vehicle turnaround rate."Matos said the nearly 45 buses running the base shuttle bus system take up 40 percent of their workload, followed closely by the security forces Humvees. These buses transport roughly 82,000 passengers a month."So without vehicle maintenance, the mission doesn't get done," the chief said. "We have a hand in just about every single function on this base in one form or another.""Supply deliveries can't be made, aircraft fueling can't be done and security forces can't do their patrols without their vehicles we maintain," added Hamilton.

First-ever first sergeant symposium at deployed base

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- A First Sergeant Symposium designed to provide information and tools to aspiring first sergeants was held here July 27 and Aug. 3 for the first time ever at a deployed location.First sergeants are the principal advisor to the commander on all issues related to the enlisted force and exercise general supervision over assigned enlisted personnel. Those in attendance at the symposium were introduced to many concepts and experiences first sergeants encounter. The course instructors were first sergeants who used their first-hand experience to drive home their assigned topics."This gives you the tools to keep in mind, to help you as supervisors and first sergeants," said Master Sgt. Melissa Somers, the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron first sergeant deployed from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and a course instructor.While originally intended for aspiring first sergeants, the course was also host to supervisors, superintendents and additional duty first sergeants."This has been extremely amazing and very beneficial," said Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Foxx, the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flight medical clinic NCO in charge and additional duty first sergeant deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "What they taught here really expands on what you learn in NCO academy."Course curriculum ranged from explaining first sergeant responsibilities to administrative paperwork, and from Article 15 processing to domestic violence and sexual assault response. The first sergeants had to limit their class selection to 20, specifically picking items of interest for the deployed Airman."It was a big challenge for us," said Master Sgt. Kevin Swieda, the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron first sergeant deployed from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and a course coordinator. "The course stateside is a four consecutive-day symposium, but with the high operations tempo we have here, we had to condense the material into two non-consecutive days."Swieda said they weren't able to have as many open discussions and panels as the stateside course would as a result of the abridged curriculum, but added how impressed the first sergeants were of the students' dedication as many of them volunteered their days off for this."We rely heavily on these folks to fill in for us," Swieda said. "So this training provides them the information, training, tools and knowledge through Air Force sanctioned training and first-hand stories on how to do what we do."First sergeants must have knowledge of personnel management with emphasis on quality force indicators, personnel and administration; military training; Air Force organization; drill and ceremonies; customs and courtesies; sanitation and hygiene; military justice; and counseling techniques."The most beneficial part of this training for me was the first-hand stories from the first sergeants," Foxx said. "It was very helpful to hear what tools they use and how they cope with difficult situations that may come up, like deaths and non-judicial punishment."Over the span of the two days, nearly 55 seasoned Airmen attended the symposium learning what it takes to take on the roles and responsibilities of becoming a first sergeant."This was an amazing experience and it would be worth doing again," Foxx said.

8th EAMS checks cargo for correct care

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Joint STARS: Mission crews collect life-saving data

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Healing deployed wounded warriors

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs7/31/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Established in 2008, the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's Intra-Theater Care Program here ensures no service member is sent home from the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility before having a chance to get back in the fight."We're here to ease the workload of our forward operating hospitals so they can focus on the critically ill patients, and in turn, ITCP takes care of the non-emergent combat and non-combat related injuries," said Staff Sgt. Shannon Maynard, the program's NCO in charge deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif. "Our goal is to fix these soldiers and return them to duty within 30 days without them having to leave the AOR."On average, ITCP cares for 15 wounded warriors a month, returning 98 percent of patients to their units down range. The program's patient make-up usually consists of 80 percent Army, 10 percent Air Force and 10 percent Navy and Marines."The benefit of this program is pretty significant," Maynard said. "Patients who would normally go home and probably never return to the AOR, have the ability to come here, recover, relax and get the care they absolutely need before returning to duty without leaving their unit one man behind."This in turn saves the Department of Defense thousands of dollars that would have otherwise been used to locate another service member to take their place, no-notice, while they recover at hospitals in places like Germany and stateside."For me it was encouraging because we were told if you went to Germany that usually means you're going home or if you're home, you're just not going to come back from certain types of injuries or ailments," said U.S. Army Spc. Demetrius Payton, an ITCP patient who injured his foot while on convoy duty in Afghanistan. "It was encouraging for me because I wasn't ready to leave; I was so short in my deployment. But when the doctors at Bagram Air Base told me I was coming here, my hopes rose."Payton said he didn't want to leave his unit a man short and can't wait to get back to them, but said he couldn't have recovered as quickly as he has without the ITCP and the medical group's staff.The program affords patients access to fully qualified medical personnel 24/7. These patients are able to partake in all base activities going on pending it isn't harming their recovery. ITCP is capable of housing up to 20 patients at any given time. Behind the scenes, Maynard works hand-in-hand with the patient's units coordinating with the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility for their movement back down range and their direct line to the surgeons."Basically I am here to provide the best care and welfare I can for my patients, ensuring they make every appointment and adhere to their profile restrictions," she said.Maynard said this program benefits the warfighter by giving them a safe place to come and recover. They are given the care they need and a place to relax and decompress while they are here. Patients have access to all other services on base that wouldn't be available down range."Since being here I've had nothing but success as far as battling the infection on my foot," Payton said. "The infection could have invaded the bone and found its way into the blood system. But they settled my fears and treated me very well. Now the infection itself is basically beaten and I'm just going through the physical therapy process to get back in the fight."However, physical recovery isn't Maynard's only concern as she's also looking out for their mental recovery."They get to participate in absolutely everything here," she said. "When celebrities come by this is one of the first stops they make and I think it's good for their morale."ITCP also provides patients with a weekly pizza night, Sunday brunch in bed and numerous other activities throughout the week. Patients are also encouraged to make themselves at home and participate in other morale, wellness and recreation events here, like Karaoke night at Memorial Plaza, among others."You don't really feel like you're isolated from the regular personnel here or even from the other patients," Payton said. "It really feels good and makes you feel normal -- not just like a patient.""They've made me feel so special," added Marine Lance Cpl. Matt Zager, an ITCP patient. "I'm very appreciative for everything they've done to help me get better and back in the fight, not just physically, but emotionally as well."Maynard said she feels like the patients form bonds with other patients really helping in their recovery efforts."Even though they are from all different branches of the military, they form their own unit," she said. "It's nice to actually stand back and watch them bond and find out about different branches of the armed forces."As Payton completes his final steps to recovery he said he's so grateful for everything ITCP, Maynard and the hospital staff has done for him."They really make you feel like part of a family," Payton said. "You feel like you're cared for here and not just another number."From the moment patients, like Payton, get off the plane to the moment they head back to the fight, ITCP is with them every step of the way."I think the patients respond well to the program; there's always somebody there to take care of them," Maynard said. "We have a mission here to get them better and back in the fight as soon as possible."

8th EAMS: “Where’s the waste gone?”

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

B-1B Lancer: More than meets the eye

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

6/14/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1B Lancer is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force and is flown here by the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron."We have a lot of coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Seth Graham, the 34th EBS commander. "They're able to focus on executing their various missions because of the air support we provide 365, 24/7."The colonel said it's hard to put into words the importance of what his unit does, but instead explained in a vignette the importance of his units air support to the nation's ground forces."On one occasion my crew arrived overhead of U.S. ground forces pinned down in a compound receiving small arms fire from multiple directions," the colonel said. "They tell the crew they are running low on ammo and need immediate air support. My crew employed a single 500 pound JDAM in close proximity to the friendly forces which forced the enemy to break contact and allowed our guys to walk out of that compound and back to their base. On the way out they told my guys 'thanks...you saved our lives today!' We make life and death decisions every day...that's the importance of what we do."This air support wouldn't be possible, however, without all the work going on behind the scenes in the squadron."We are tasked by the Air Tasking Order from the Combined Air and Space Operations Center and in turn our mission planning cell puts together everything the aircrew will need to be successful," said Maj. Aaron Mate, a 34th EBS assistant director of operations. "The mission planning cell is comprised of a chief of operations, two flyers, intelligence and an Army liaison officer."The MPC collects and processes data, integrating it into flight plans and mission folders that include all the information necessary for B-1 crews to dynamically support every regional command in Afghanistan on a given sortie. A pre-flight crew is then used to ready the aircraft. They run pre-flight checks to get the jet mission-ready for the crew who will fly the mission. They also secure a secondary aircraft in the event the primary encounters a malfunction prior to takeoff."We want our number of takeoffs to equal our landings," said Capt. Brandon Packard, a 34th EBS weapons systems officer. "So we go through these checks for the mission crew in order to, one, streamline the process and, two, for the safety and security of our crews and jets. We take this job just as seriously as flying a mission."Once the jet is ready to go and the mission crew has completed their pre-mission briefs, it's time for takeoff.The roles of pre-flight and mission crews are rotated as directed by their aviation resources managers and policy in order to manage fatigue."We can't have all the fun," Mate said jokingly. "Per AFI, we limit our crews to a 16 hour day -- this includes 13 hours in the air and 3 hours of mission preparation."The 16-hour rule can be waived by the operations group commander up to 24-hours to accommodate longer missions as directed by higher headquarters.Every crew is comprised of an aircraft commander, copilot and two weapons systems officers. With an intercontinental range and the ability to carry up to 48,000 pounds of munitions at 900-plus mph, the B-1 can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time."We are one of the most flexible close air support airframes in the Air Force," said Capt. Nikki Jansen, a 34th EBS pilot. "The B-1's speed and superior handling characteristics allow it to seamlessly integrate in mixed force packages. These capabilities, when combined with its substantial payload, diverse targeting system, long loiter time and survivability, make the B-1B a key element of any joint or coalition strike force."The aircrews and B-1s are deployed here from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and Dyess AFB, Texas."We get the greatest sense of satisfaction when the ground crew's joint terminal attack controller radios in thanking us for keeping them safe," said Graham.During the first six months of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, eight B-1s dropped nearly 40 percent of the total tonnage delivered by coalition air forces. This included nearly 3,900 Joint Direct Attack Munitions. The B-1 continues to be deployed today, flying missions daily in support of continuing operations.

PyroLance: Water with firepower

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

6/6/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Today's aircraft rescue and firefighting emergencies require a quick response and the ability to access complex composite structures such as the many Air Force airframes protected by the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters here.To do this, firefighters require top-notch tools and equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently while limiting loss of life and property. The 379th ECES fire department practiced using a PyroLance here June 4 as part of that mission. This tool gives crews access to areas where hidden fires continue to burn. This technology allows firefighters the ability to puncture and spray water into structural walls, aircraft skin and vehicle compartments without ever having to step inside a hazardous environment."By directing the powerful stream directly at the source of the fire, fires can be cooled and extinguished with maximum effectiveness," said Staff Sgt. Kristopher Jaime, a 379th ECES firefighter.The PyroLance is typically operated by two people. One person works the water tank and pump generator, while the other works the handle and nozzle. The handle/nozzle operator must be in full personal protective equipment due to the nature of the tool and its application. The PyroLance can also be combined with foam systems for extinguishing fires traveling along sources such as gasoline and jet fuel."This tool gives us the capability to cut through and into just about anything to put out the fire," Jaime said.Useful in many applications other than aviation, this high pressure technology is also a viable asset in combating municipal, rescue, hazardous material, wildland and is now included into the Air Force's new Rapid Intervention Vehicle apparatus."Its versatility brings flexibility to our firefighting mission here," said Airman 1st Class Taner Masters, a 379th ECES firefighter. "By making such a precise insertion into an aircraft or structure, instead of cutting up the skin or walls, we can effectively save the Air Force a lot of money in repair damage."