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Airmen travel thousands of miles overseas to support the conflict
against ISIS bringing with them an array of life experiences that
prove again and again a reoccurring theme; the strength of the U.S.
Air Force is in the diversity it bolsters.
The 380th Air
Expeditionary Wing currently supports the Air Force’s five core
missions with a considerable percentage of the deployed Airmen being
members of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.
Total force integration is an integral aspect of the U.S. Air
Force’s capability during the fight against ISIS while supporting
Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.
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February 8, 2017 - A member of the 380th Expeditionary Security
Forces Squadron guards a U-2 Dragonlady at an undisclosed location
in Southwest Asia. Security forces members directly contribute to
the area of responsibility by defending critical mission assets
which are working to weaken and destroy Islamic State in Iraq and
the Levant operations in the Middle East region and around the
world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tyler Woodward)
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Chief Master Sgt. Kruzelnick, 380 AEW command chief,
spoke of the seamless transition deployed Airmen complete
when deploying overseas and the benefit of having a total
force team.
“The 380th [AEW] lives and breathes the
'One Air Force' concept,” Kruzelnick said.
“This is the only way we can continuously deliver all five
core mission sets of the Air Force 24/7/365.”
Master
Sgt. Jerimy, 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
assistant flight chief, believes Airmen deploy from all
walks of life and contribute to the mission regardless of
their home station status.
“Right now we need a
seamless transition to make sure the mission is complete,”
Jerimy said. “Total force integration has taught me that the
stigma of the guard is gone. We can train and deploy just as
well as active duty can.”
Kruzelnick highlighted
members of the 380 ESFS as an example of how the dual
careers of guardsmen and reservists can benefit the Air
Force mission in a deployed environment.
“In some
cases, their civilian job compliments their military one
quite well to bring an even better capability…which provides
an incredible experience to our team.” Kruzelnick said.
Tech Sgt. Brian, a 380 AEW KC-10 Extender boom operator,
shared the importance of total force integration in a
deployed environment. As a member of a reserve crew, Brian
said he has been tasked to serve interchangeably on active
duty crews while deployed.
“We have to live and work
together throughout this entire deployment,” Brian said. “We
rely on each other to accomplish an important mission.”
From ensuring 3.06 million meals get served annually to
maintaining $7 billion in aircraft assets, deployed Airmen
at the 380 AEW operate professionally and reliably.
“It doesn’t matter what base we come from or whether we are
active duty or guard or reserve,” said Staff Sgt. Amber,
380th Expeditionary Medical Group flight and operational
Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. “We are all able to
operate the same.”
(Names have been removed for
security reasons)
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tyler Woodward
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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