Record-breaking numbers ensure ‘boots on the ground’

  • Published
  • By Capt. Denise Boyd
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Airmen assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing had a record-breaking month supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Active-duty, Guard and Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft at the wing’s forward-deployed location had more flying hours and carried more pallets and passengers during August than any month previously. Wing Airmen also averaged more transient passengers per day than any other month.

Since November 2003, the highest number of passengers carried on an average day through July was 1,344. In August, the average reached 1,698 a day.

The flying hours reached an all-time high of 2,833.3 for the month, almost 75 more hours than the previous months. The number of pallets loaded and carried for the month was 2,183, more than 100 over the previous months.

But the most significant of all those records broken was for passengers carried. The previous high was in July, with 41,673. August saw more than 52,600 passengers.

Hitting locations such as Kuwait International Airport, Baghdad International Airport and Balad Air Base, Iraq, crews work long days under difficult circumstances.

“There are (myriad) stressors that face our aircrew members, and a fast operational tempo is just one of them,” said Lt. Col. John Holly, commander of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. “Among the other major issues, I would list the heat, an air traffic control system much less robust than the one we have in the states, as well as hostile small-arms fire, anti-aircraft fire and surface-to-air missiles.

“The tactical airlifters of the 386th AEW are the best in the world,” Colonel Holly said, “and they prove it every day with an unmatched record of operational reliability and sortie effectiveness. Not only do our exceptional men and women get the job done, but they also do it safely in a dangerous and challenging environment.”

Maintainers are able to keep the planes flying even while dealing with extremes in operations here, said Maj. Marvin Schaitel, commander of the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron.

“Temperatures can be 15 to 20 degrees hotter on the flightline than on the main base,” he said. “Picking up a wrench or touching the plane can result in a burn if gloves aren’t worn, and working inside the airplane can be best referred to as a sauna.

“But, in spite of all these challenges, the Airmen here continue to excel,” he said.

It takes every Airman assigned to the wing to perform these missions, said Col. Mike Keltz, 386th AEW commander.

“From creating flight meals to getting the crew to the planes to loading the passengers and pallets, it’s a total team effort,” he said.

The wing is responsible for tactical airlift into not only Iraq and surrounding areas, but also into the Horn of Africa. Regular missions include moving Soldiers during their rest and relaxation rotations, transporting Iraqi police cadets and resupplying forward-deployed troops.