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Airmen support Belgium tenant unit

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. John Lasky
  • Air Force Print News
CHIEVRES AIR BASE, Belgium (AFPN) --  More than 80 Airmen in 27 specialties are responsible for the operation, maintenance and security of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe air fleet, including two HH-60 Pave Hawks and the C-37A twin-engine turbo transport.

The Airmen at this geographically separated unit are assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, but make up a tenant unit on Chievres under the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux.

Lt. Col. Pete Giusti, who commands the 309th Airlift Wing, said the small wing relies on its NCOs to accomplish it mission.

"The flights are comparable to groups, and sections are the squadrons," said the Castle Rock, Colo., native. "Only seven officers are assigned so that means the NCOs run this place, and they do a great job."

There are three hangars tucked away in a corner of the base that house many of the sections or squadrons. The aerospace ground equipment section here is a two-deep section taking up one-eighth of a hangar for office and workspace.

Tech. Sgt. Darrin Fletcher of Burleson, Texas, is the NCO in charge. His AGE experience typically would include working in shops of 30 to 150 people. Here, he has one sergeant assigned with him.

"It's nice to be stationed here, but at the same time it does get pretty busy in a different way," he said.

Staff Sgt. Isaiah Enquist is the second Airman assigned in the section.

"At a big base you'll have one guy performing one additional duty. Here we've got several hats to wear when it comes to additional duties," said the Spokane, Wash., native.

One NCO who has worked in the petroleum oils and lubricants section here since 2003 believes this assignment has been career-broadening.

"I've learned a lot since I've been here. At my previous base I was primarily an operator, but here I've had hands-on training in the fuels lab and learned more about the accounting and storage aspects of my job," said Staff Sgt. Claudio Rosario.

The Airmen are on call for the nearly 200 SACEUR missions and provide airlift support for more than 1,000 special air missions for high-ranking government and Defense Department officials annually.