Snow, sub-freezing temps no match for Manas team Published Nov. 25, 2006 By Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) -- One key to successful mission completion for the coming months will be how the wing prepares and adjusts to winter weather. The mission priority every day and even more so during adverse weather is to deliver fuel, people and cargo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This week brought the first sign of adverse weather and sub-freezing temperatures, and the Manas Airmen continued the mission and learned from the experience. "The first snowfall is always difficult as you implement procedures under actual conditions and time lines that you cannot create during the training sessions," said Lt. Col. Richard Nelson, 376th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander. "This (first) snowfall occurred on one of our busier flying days and the teamwork exhibited by all the maintenance activities -- KC-135 (Stratotankers), C-17 (Globemaster IIIs) and Transit Alert -- allowed us to launch the required missions." Before the snow, a fog bank rolled in across Manas requiring some KC-135s to fly to another base in Southwest Asia to complete the next day's AOR mission and then return to Manas. The next morning it snowed. "We have not had to cancel any missions due to the snow over the last few days," said Lt. Col. Michael Gaal, 22nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander. "I think the important point to make is flight operations were successful due to a full team effort." In an expeditionary environment, teamwork and execution are essential ingredients to success. "Everyone maintained focus on the overall wing mission and pulled together to make it happen," Colonel Nelson said. "We're expecting more snow in the future and we are prepared to tackle that when it comes."