There was a time in the late 1990s when Tuzla Air Base was crawling with hundreds of Airmen. As times changed, the duty of airfield maintenance has increasingly moved into the hands of contractors, but the Air Force still has a presence at the base.

While the majority of the U.S. military presence at Tuzla is from the Army, the airfield is manned by three Airmen, supplemented by a team of more than 160 contractors.

“Our primary job is to provide a safe and operable airfield for both NATO and EUFOR (European Forces),” said Lt. Col. David Lowe, commander of Detachment 1, 401st Air Expeditionary Wing. “Our primary mandate is to support NATO, but we obviously support EUFOR, we unload their passengers and cargo, refuel and de-ice aircraft and support weather operations.”

The three Airmen and contractors support Tuzla International Airport. It is the busiest airport in Bosnia with a 40-percent greater traffic count than Sarajevo.

“I think of us as a team of 165,” Colonel Lowe said. “Contractors are part of the team. Most are prior service, so it’s easy for them to adjust. My goal is to make them feel like part of the Air Force team. I try to help encourage that. When we have meetings or social events I include them. They do the lion’s share of the work and provide the Air Force with continuity and experience here. It’s easier to keep up with two guys, but I’m just as concerned about our contractors.”

While the contractors may do the lion’s share of the work, it is the Air Force’s role to assure the work is up to Air Force standards.

The job of quality assurance evaluating is spread out among the three Airmen. Master Sgt. Matthew Sheehan is the quality assurance evaluator for passenger service, cargo loading and transient aircraft. Capt. Mark Arzate handles quality assurance for airfield operations, air traffic control, base operations, firefighting, and aircraft grounds and maintenance. Colonel Lowe said he keeps an eye on airfield security and fire protection.

“We make sure (contractors) meet the needs of the Air Force and the instructions associated with operating the airport in support of Multinational Task Force mission,” said Captain Arzate, the detachment chief of airfield operations.

“I think it’s a good working relationship. They come to us with any request and we provide recommendations. They make the correct choice to do the right thing as far as safety and keeping the mission going,” he said.

Two exceptions for quality assurance evaluation that are not covered by the Airmen here are communications systems, navigation equipment and weather systems. These fields are covered by Airmen from the 401st Air Expeditionary Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

“Essentially the radios can’t be used if the certification isn’t completed,” said Staff Sgt. Mark Beecroft, 401st AEW radio certifier. “We have a 15-day window before and after certification date to get it completed.”

Not having the radio certified can hinder the mission, so it is imperative that radios are kept current with certifications.

“Navigation aids and radio are essential to mission, so it’s critical to get good support from contractors and blue suiters,” Colonel Lowe said. “They have a chance to (interact) with contractors who have been doing this job for years. So they may be able to learn some techniques from the contractor. It’s a win-win situation if we approach it correctly.”

“We work well together. I’ve developed a good relationship with the contractors,” said Staff Sgt. Mario Morris, 401st AEW meteorological and navigational systems certifier. “I knew two of the guys from earlier in my career when they were active-duty military. I was quite surprised to see them, but I was relieved because I knew they were good technicians who know what they are doing.”

Developing and maintaining these working relationships are vital between the contractors and Airmen.

“I have to have good communication and coordination with the contractors,” Sergeant Beecroft said. “They are the liaison between me and the air traffic controllers when performing certification.”

For Colonel Lowe, who became airfield commander in January, his experience at Tuzla has been rewarding.

“I came here thinking I was to be an airfield commander,” Colonel Lowe said. “Not until I got my feet wet did I realize how many moving parts there are here with contractors and other nations. It’s been very enjoyable working with everyone, including our European partners.”