Airman helps people arrive, depart Kosovo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carla Williams
  • Kosovo Force Press Service
PRISTINA, Serbia and Montenegro (AFPN) --  An Airman deployed here had a busy flight schedule to deal with, but he was not going anywhere.

“I have to meet a passenger, who is going to Greece, at the airport in Pristina. Then I have to meet an arriving plane afterward,” said Tech. Sgt. Tony Schuster, NATO’s channel flight coordinator for Kosovo here.

Sergeant Schuster coordinates flights for people arriving and departing Kosovo. He works with all military bases and the travel offices in Kosovo.

“Nations count on me to book military flights for leave, a 96-hour pass and for duty,” he said. “It gives (servicemembers) the opportunity to rest and get away. I also book cargo for transportation to Naples in order to fix equipment.”

Sergeant Schuster said his job brings something unique to the Kosovo Forces mission.

“I am able to save millions of dollars for all nations to book flights through the office because NATO flights are free,” he said. “I gain an experience to work with the other nations and learn about other countries’ cultures, military structure and customs and courtesies.

Sergeant Schuster, who is deployed from the Nevada Air National Guard in Reno and has had 11 years of active duty in the Army, six years in the Air Force Reserve and one year in the Air National Guard.

“I feel grateful to be a part of this mission. It breaks my heart that kids (in Kosovo) have to live in fear. They should be able to live free no matter what their ethnic background or religious preference is,” the sergeant said. “It makes me proud to be an American servicemember.”

Sergeant Schuster said he will take away a special bond with servicemembers from other nations.

“I will take away an experience of a lifetime -- the experience of working with other nations for the common goal which is peace and happiness for all of the Kosovo people,” he said.