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.]

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.]

8th EAMS checks cargo for correct care

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8th EAMS: “Where’s the waste gone?”

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8th EAMS ramp services load “tons” of cargo

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8th EAMS ATOC coordinates deploying cargo, passengers

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

7/12/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Moving cargo and personnel from location to location within the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility can be quite the feat, but for 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron Airmen in the air terminal operations center here, it's their "bread and butter."

"We have the most diverse mission sets transit through here every day," said Staff Sgt. John Hubicsak, an 8th EAMS ATOC information controller deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

On average, the ATOC 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," Hubicsak said. "We gather information about every aircraft's mission from the flight manifest as they make their way through here and disperse the pertinent information out to the work centers that need it."

ATOC is responsible for constantly monitoring airlift missions and providing updates to various agencies across 8th EAMS and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.

"We coordinate with 379th AEW agencies, handle aeromedical evacuation patients and ship a lot of blood to medical units in Afghanistan," said Hubicsak. "We support all the tankers and fighters coming through here with cargo and passengers of their own, as well as C-130 [Hercules] crews who hop in and out of the smaller forward operating bases in theater."

Hubicsak said not only is ATOC responsible for informing the "Mighty Ocho's" maintenance operations center of requirements, but also complete load planning as they organize the cargo for movement to tell load masters what to expect from the load.

"They're very helpful in providing us the information we need to know to accomplish our mission," said Airman 1st Class Brittany McGarrity, an 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster deployed from Joint Base Charleston, S.C. "The technical data they provide is instrumentally important as we mathematically preplan the correct placement of the load on the airplane to ensure it can safely fly."

McGarrity added the information ATOC provides enables her and the cargo jet's aircrew to deliver the supplies, equipment and people to their destination so the joint warfighters down range have what they need to perform their duties, wherever they may be.

"What's most fulfilling for me is being so involved in something and knowing your decisions directly impact the quality of life for folks down range," said Hubicsak. "Our cargo provides deployed service members with things like power and fuel to keep air conditioners running in living quarters so they have a comfortable place to rest their head at night after hours in the sweltering heat of the desert."

But it's not just the forward deployed service member relying on these ATOC Airmen.

"I depend on these guys every day," said Master Sgt. Travis Crane, the 8th EAMS ATOC superintendent deployed from Joint Base Charleston, S.C. "I've only been here a month and the continuity and experience my guys provide the mission every day is phenomenal. Without them, we couldn't complete the mission as efficiently and flawlessly as we do it."

Units across the base, in some form or another, support the "Ocho's" vast mission set, but it's one office coordinating, talking, gathering and dispersing the information around to get the mission done.

"It's really gratifying that I can make so many different agencies come together to support the joint warfighter in the way we do it," Hubicsak said. "We're always forward thinking in order to save the Air Force time and money."

[Editor's note: This article is part two of an eight part series highlighting the unique missions accomplished by the Airmen of 8th EAMS.]

8th EAMS: Deployed controllers delivering hope

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs7/5/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Mortar explosions rattle a forward operating base in Afghanistan and it's all service members hear as they rush for cover. Gradually, the dust settles and in the distance a fleeing U.S. convoy is spotted. The FOB's gates open just long enough for the crew to find safety in the base's heavily fortified walls. Moments later, bullets seem to spray from everywhere.A week earlier, ammunition, supplies, tools, food and water were airdropped by an 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron cargo jet. Equipped with these provisions, these service members have what they need to survive."Cargo is the life blood of down-range soldiers," said Tech. Sgt. David Young, the 8th EAMS Air Mobility Control Center flight chief deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. "More than 50 percent of the [U.S. Central Command's area of operation] AOR's air drops originate from here, making what we do significantly important. 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. The supplies we provide them are their lifeline."More commonly known as, "The Mighty Ocho," the 8th EAMS coordinates, loads and maintains the aircraft responsible for delivering these life-saving supplies to the joint war fighter down range."Air Mobility Command sends us cargo missions, and as the AOR's central hub, we coordinate when these jets will land, where they'll park, how the cargo will get to the aircraft and how its loaded, the fuel, the maintenance, aircrew rest -- all this we do to get a quick turn on the jet's mission and on its way to the folks who need it most," Young said."Our cargo missions really remind me of why we're here," added Staff Sgt. Ryan Metz, the 8th EAMS training NCO in charge deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. "It makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger than myself."In a section of five, working 24/7, 365 days a year, Young and his crew have at least two members on shift at any given time working as the "Ocho's" nervous system."Leadership puts down instructions on how they want to run things," explained Young. "We funnel that out to the 'body parts' -- such as maintenance and the air terminal operations center and they commence the mission and giving us feedback whether the mission went off fine or if it had problems along the way."AMCC Airmen then take that information and route it up to leadership who then decide how the processes can be improved so the mission runs smoother for next time."Our mission is really vital," Young said. There's a reason we haven't consolidated with the wing command post here, because AMC wants to have a specific command and control node monitoring all their missions, able to give them real-time feedback as it all plays out. That's where we come in."Contrary to home station operations, Young said there are a lot more on the fly changes in the deployed environment he just doesn't see back home. Between opportune cargo movements, aeromedical evacuation missions, dignified transfer and human remains missions that come up in the AOR, AMCC Airmen have their plates full."These things come up a lot more often than they would at home station -- so they [AMC] need someone to manage these changes on the fly and they do that through us," he said.Having their paws in every aspect of 8th EAMS's mission, it's not surprising to see why Young is so passionate about his job."Without the C2 [command and control] node, the unit loses their centralized execution of the mission," he said.Another way C2 supports joint warfighters down range is by saving the defense department money, especially during this time of budget cuts and sequestration."The way we can help, particularly, is to look for things where we can make the mission more efficient," Young said. "We can save on the small issues that would cause crews to exceed their crew duty day then the whole mission has to stop while they rest overnight. That 12-18 hours we lose there is significant."For service members down range, especially at some more rustic FOBs, this delay could mean the difference between winning and losing a firefight."If we can manipulate the mission based on our relationship with the different stations we work with and knowing their limitations, such as differing quiet hours, we can make sure we get them [cargo jets] out of here in a timely manner to hit their marks," said Young.The 8th EAMS moves most of their cargo by means of C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-5 Galaxys, but Young said they do make use of other airframes, including the KC-135 Stratotanker and personnel rotators."If a plane comes in here empty, it's not leaving here empty," he said chalking this feat up to his partner agencies within the "The Mighty Ocho," including the air terminal operations center, MOC, and several others.[Editor's note: The narrative story lead does not reflect actual events. This article is part one of an eight part series highlighting the unique missions accomplished by the Airmen of 8th EAMS.]