Total Force Airlift Delivering in Afghanistan
(May 28, 2010) |
|
|
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – At a place where Operation
Moshtarek, a NATO-Afghan joint offensive involving 15,000
Afghan, Canadian, American and British troops is still in
full swing, military aircraft come in like clockwork.
Airmen from across the force are showing the power of combat
airlift and delivering supplies to warfighters on the
frontlines of freedom in Afghanistan. |
 |
| U.S. Marines board a C-17
Globemaster III, April 20, at Camp Bastion,
Afghanistan. Airmen helped deliver 30,000 troops
into the region as part of the surge throughout
Afghanistan, since Jan. 1, also they have
ensured more than 25,000 customers got on their
way to their various destinations throughout
Southwest Asia. Photo by USAF SSSgt. Manuel Martinez |
|
"MATVs are one of the most common things we deliver here,"
said Lt. Col. Melissa Coburm, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot
from the 732nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at the Transit
Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. "I feel important bringing
better technology to our troops on the ground. It is good to
know that we're making a difference," added the Colonel who
is a reservist deployed from McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
Airlift keeps Airmen from the 451st Expeditionary Logistics
Readiness Squadron's Detachment 1 here busy. The unit's air
traffic operations center and ramp operations have uploaded
and downloaded more than 40,000 short-tons of cargo from
almost 3,000 aircraft moving in and out of the airfield here
since January 1. Moving cargo off of airframes such as C-17
Globemaster IIIs, C-130 Hercules, Russian-made IL-76s and
DC-8s, aerial port Airmen are ensuring Coalition Forces get
equipment and supplies they need.
"Every time we land here we see the Aerial Porters and
they're on it; we are able to get our cargo offloaded fast,"
said Senior Airman Glenn Bernier II, a C-17 loadmaster with
the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at the Transit
Center at Manas, and deployed from Travis Air Force Base,
Calif. "It's impressive to see and it makes you proud to see
your fellow Airmen on the ground when you land. It makes you
feel a part of something bigger than yourself. With every
delivery we are helping our coalition partners on the ground
and Afghan citizens."
While Airmen are aiding in delivering 30,000 troops into the
region as part of the plus-up throughout Afghanistan; since
Jan. 1, airlifters have ensured more than 25,000 customers
got on their way to their various destinations throughout
Southwest Asia.
"If we can get people home or to their duty station, we are
proud to do it," said Capt. Dominic Conlan, a C-17 pilot
with the 817th Expeditionary Airlift squadron at the Transit
Center at Manas, and deployed from Travis Air Force Base,
Calif. "It's an honor to be serving with these Soldiers,
Sailors, Marines, fellow Airmen and coalition forces at this
time. We are all a part of a team making history at this
time in this place."
Airlift doesn't just involve moving passengers and cargo,
but at times human remains.
"We hang the flag and carry human remains home with the
ultimate respect," said Staff Sgt. Derek Clemons, a
loadmaster with the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at
location in Southwest Asia and deployed from Charleston AFB,
S.C. "It is not a mission we enjoy doing at all, but we are
honored when we get the chance to take patriots who paid the
ultimate sacrifice back to their families. These people
served their country with valor and it is a pleasure to part
of an airlift operation that remembers and takes care of our
fallen warriors."
One of the most vital airlift missions here is aero-medical
evacuation. AE teams carry equipment for nearly every
scenario: stretchers, stretcher racks, defibrillators,
suction machines, IVs, oxygen tanks ... ect.; helping to save
lives and move war-fighters to higher medical care.
"I love my job, because the bottom line is we get to help
people," said Master Sgt. Marc Maxwell, a C-130 Hercules
loadmaster with the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at
Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. He is deployed from the
California Air National Guard's 115th Airlift Squadron at
Channel Island Air National Guard Station in Port Hueneme,
Calif. "Getting people to the medical care they need is a
great example of airlift. Being a part of this mission in
this region is awesome. I get to assist the guys on the
frontlines. I may have a small role but I am happy to play
it."
As operations continue here, there is no doubt the power of
airlift will continue to be felt throughout Afghanistan.
"We are all joint personnel in a worldwide fight," said 1st
Lt. Danielle Varwig, a C-17 pilot with the 817th EAS at
Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and deployed from Travis.
"Together we will move the mission on the air and ground for
the security of Afghanistan and our coalition partners." |
By USAF TSgt. Oshawn Jefferson, U.S. AFCENT Combat
Camera Team
Copyright 2010 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
Comment on this article |
|
