Airmen show 'can-do' spirit in joint force environment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ian Carrier
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNEWS) --  In the constantly changing environment of modern warfare, Airmen are constantly being tasked to do things and go places out of the ordinary. Long gone are the days when the Air Force was built around strategic bombing, isolated to the rear of the lines on comfortable bases. Today's Airmen often work in joint-force environments in jobs traditionally done by other branches of the service.

One such place is at Camp Patriot, situated on a naval base in the CENTAF Area of Responsibility. Part of the 586th Expeditionary Mission Support Group has been tasked to run the camp for the Army. There are some 30 Airmen residing and working on Camp Patriot, with Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard and host-nation personnel. The Airmen are many miles from the nearest Air Force base.

"The main mission here is to support the reception, staging and onward movement of forces and materiel throughout the AOR," said Lt. Col. Doug Galloway, the 586th EMSG Det. 1 and Camp Patriot commander.

The 586th at Camp Patriot consists of a Logistics Readiness Flight, Services personnel; Mission Support Flight and a Civil Engineer Flight.

The LRF has a multi-faceted mission that includes providing transportation for some 2,000 personnel from 32 different units, managing connex's for 25 different units, issuing and administering licenses and vehicles to Camp Patriot personnel and serving as installation property book custodian.

The Services Flight provides water, ice, meals and lodging to more than 1,000 warfighters as well as managing the fitness center and handling morale tours. Fitness programs between the services have to be monitored and maintained to military standards, something that is done by Tech. Sgt. Sharon Mayne, the only Airman working in the civilian-contractor run gym.

"This is the first time I've ever worked with all of the branches of service," Sergean Mayne said. "It's interesting learning the culture and ranks."

The MSF provides anti-terrorism, force protection, personnel accountability, host nation relationship and communications support.

"It's difficult, but it all works out," said Master Sgt. Clayton Klaver, the AT/FP superintendent.

He is charged with ensuring the base is secure. Different services have different ways of doing things, and sometimes these differences provide challenges

"Learning how other services work is a challenge but the job gets done," he said. "The Air Force fits in well."

The CEF deals with the infrastructure of Camp Patriot. This time of year, the spring, the number one project is removing, fixing, replacing and installing air conditioners in preparation for the upcoming intense summer heat. The CEF also provides electricians and plumbers for the base and the lone HAZMAT coordinator, Staff Sgt. Harvey Peters, collects and disposes of 200-300 lbs. of hazardous material a month.

"I like working with different branches and learning how they do things," Sergeant Peters said. "Sometimes it is a challenge to deal with different procedures and paperwork between the services, but everyone is very helpful. Perceptions change when you work with different people."

An environment like the one at Camp Patriot forces the highly specialized Air Force personnel to become more adaptable. Many Airmen work outside their usual jobs.

"We came here with certain skill sets that are not perfectly matched to what we have to do here," Colonel Galloway said. "This is a rare opportunity for people to do whatever the job requires. The people at Camp Patriot love the Air Force. We receive constant praise from the other camp commanders."

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