Airmen arrive for AEF Silver

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Russell Wicke
  • 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  About 20 airmen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., arrived here on a C-130 Hercules as part of Air and Space Expeditionary Force Silver. They are assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.

The 354th EFS will replace the 81st EFS from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, as AEF Silver replaces AEF Blue.

“The biggest challenge with this is to have a seamless transition without mission degradation,” said Lt. Col. Richard Johnson, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group deputy commander. “The transition should be complete by mid-November.”

The unit’s main mission is to provide close-air support to friendly ground forces.

“The majority of the (airmen is in) the fighter squadron,” said Col. Thomas Groznik, 455th EOG commander. “Because of this, the EOG will reflect the image of the fighter squadron here.”

The arriving airmen are finding the living conditions to be much better than expected.

“I thought we were going to be sleeping on cots in tents without air conditioning or heat,” said Master Sgt. Allan Kuntz, 455th EOG first sergeant. “Instead, what I found was people moving into timber huts and sleeping on beds. I was also surprised to find we had hot water for showers and washing machines.”

But despite the living comforts available here, the enemy threat is high.

“The roots of the global war on terrorism are right here in Afghanistan,” Johnson said. “This is a real mission. We see results every day.”

The airmen serving here all contribute to the final business of dropping bombs. Although not everyone ventures into enemy territory, all forces here are still vulnerable to incoming rockets. Because of this threat, bunkers fortified with several layers of sandbags are found at every turn. The troops are on high alert at all times.

Although it is a dangerous business, it is necessary for the Air Force to be here. Operation Enduring Freedom would not be a success without airpower, Groznik said.