Blog-ah

this just in....

McChord stands-ready for Myanmar (Burma) relief operations

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Active-duty Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing and Reservists from the 446th AW are prepared to assist victims of Cyclone Nargis, which ravaged Myanmar (Burma) last week, leaving as many as 100,000 dead and millions homeless.

“A potential mission like this highlights the strategic importance of the C-17 (Globemaster III) and the unique capability of our Air Force,” said Col. Jeffrey Stephenson, 62nd AW commander. “If called upon McChord Airmen stand ready to assist in Myanmar (Burma) relief efforts in any way possible.”

Thus far, the Burmese government has allowed the U.S. to fly only limited relief missions to the country.
The 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the 18th Air Force hub for planning and directing tanker and transport aircraft operations around the world. TACC planners say some assets are already standing by and others can be dispatched on short notice.

One 618th TACC-tasked C-17 aircraft has been deployed to Thailand since last week to participate in the annual Cobra Gold exercise, and may be used to provide desperately needed supplies. In addition, two C-17 crews remain on alert at McChord.

“They are ready to support the Burma relief effort if called upon to do so,” said Col. Chris Moulton, 618th TACC Senior Controller.

“McChord Airmen stand ready to assist in global life-saving operations,” added Col. Stephenson. “We have the aircraft and Airmen capable of responding quickly and transporting necessary cargo anywhere in the world.”

McChord aircrew flies historic mission

62nd Airlift Wing release

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – An aircrew with McChord Air Force Base’s 10th Airlift Squadron reached a major Air Mobility Command milestone Sunday when the aircraft flew the command’s one millionth sortie since September 11, 2001.

The landmark flight was a C-17 Globemaster III mission flown to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan.
“AMC is firmly in the fight,” said Gen. Arthur Lichte, AMC commander. “Whether it’s flying airlift, tanker or aeromedical missions in and out of combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, humanitarian relief missions to hurricane and earthquake ravaged areas, or supporting UN peacekeeping missions as it did recently in Darfur, AMC is there.”

“This milestone is a tribute to the men and women who fly, maintain, support and control these aircraft. The excellence they demonstrate every day will no doubt continue for the next million missions, wherever they may be,” said General Lichte.

A sortie is defined as a single takeoff and landing. The milestone includes all operational missions, training missions and commercial contract missions flown by the command.

Approximately 125 Airmen from McChord’s 62nd Airlift Wing 10th AS left here Oct. 25 for a 120-day deployment to the war zone in support of the Global War on Terror. The 10th AS Airmen are deployed as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to various locations throughout Europe, Southwest Asia and the Middle East area of responsibility.

“I’m extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of McChord’s Airmen,” said Col. Jerry Martinez, 62nd AW commander. “This particular sortie is incredibly significant, but our Airmen are always out there accomplishing the mission whether it is for the first time or the millionth time.”

The 817th EAS, headquartered at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, is responsible for scheduling, planning and executing all C-17 missions into the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Other AMC facts:

- About every 90 seconds an air mobility aircraft lifts off somewhere in the world.

- Since Sept. 11, 2001, AMC tankers have passed nearly 1.2 million gallons of fuel to U.S. and allied aircraft.

- AMC airlift is keeping about 12,000 people and almost 5,000 trucks off Iraqi roads each month, helping to defeat the enemy’s IED strategy.

- AMC is rushing about six Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to Iraq and Afghanistan every day. The command has delivered more than 1,000 MRAPs.

- AMC aeromedical crews provide timely airlift and medical care to their fellow warriors, rapidly moving injured service members from the battlefield to the U.S.

- AMC provides safe, comfortable and reliable worldwide air transportation for our nation’s leaders, including the President.

7th AS Coming Home

McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE RELEASE – More than 115 Airmen from McChord’s 7th Airlift Squadron will be greeted here by their family and friends Sunday afternoon after a 120-day deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

The 7th AS Airmen were deployed as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to both Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan.

The squadron flew more than 2,700 missions transporting more than 34,000 passengers and more than 84 million lbs of cargo moving anti-improvised explosive device vehicles, mine-detecting equipment, Iraqi aircraft, vehicle armor and other cargo to help sustain U.S. military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The squadron also flew a Expeditionary Airlift Squadron record 16 combat airdrops of food, water, ammunition, fuel and winter supplies to forward-based troops in the mountains of Afghanistan. In addition, as one of the two C-17 EAS’s in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, they supported the largest C-17 passenger movement yet in the region in September by airlifting more than 43,000 service members in and out of the region during the summer surge.

“I am thrilled with the exceptional accomplishments of the Airmen of the 7th Airlift Squadron during this deployment,” said Lt. Col. Brian Newberry, 7th AS commander. “They exemplified our squadron motto ‘Always willing, always able’ and it was an honor to support our joint partners on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. We take great pride in ensuring that our fellow Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors have the people and the equipment they need to win the fight in this difficult war.”

Rodeo ends with top award going to Travis

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (Air Force News) – In a rousing final celebration, Air Mobility Rodeo 2007 awards were announced here Saturday. The “best of the best” included teams from around the world.

Rodeo, hosted by Air Mobility Command, is a readiness competition between U.S. and international mobility air forces. It focuses on improving warfighting capabilities and support of the Global War on Terror.

Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, commander Air Mobility Command, presented awards to the top teams. McChord picked up two this year.

The winners are:

Best Air Mobility Team: 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, Calif.

Best Airdrop Team: 317th Airlift Group, Dyess AFB, Texas.

Best Airland Team: 60th AMW, Travis AFB, Calif.

Best Tanker Team: 60th AMW, Travis AFB, Calif.

Best KC-135 Team: 97th AMW, Altus AFB, Okla.

Best KC-10 Team: 60th AMW, Travis AFB, Calif.

Best C-17 Team: 60th AMW, Travis AFB, Calif.

Best C-130/C-160 Team: 317th AG Dyess AFB, Texas.

Best C-5 Team: 60th AMW, Travis AFB, Calif.

Best International Team: German Transport Wing 61, Germany

Best Aerial Refueling Team: 437th/315th Airlift Wings, Charleston AFB, S.C., and 97th AMW, Altus AFB, Okla.

Best Aeromedical Evacuation Team: 446th AW, McChord AFB, Wash.

Best Aerial Port Team: 721st Air Mobility Operations Group, Ramstein AB, Germany

Best Security Forces Team: 62nd AW, McChord AFB, Wash.

Maintenance Knucklebuster Award: 60th AMW, Travis AFB, Calif.

McChord Deployment

Deploying McChord aircrews have eyes on war zone skies

(McChord Release) – McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. - Approximately 100 battle-ready Airmen
from McChord's 7th Airlift Squadron will leave for the war zone to
support the Global War on Terror Tuesday afternoon for a 120-day
deployment. It has been less than a year since the 7th AS returned home
from its last deployment in July 2006.

The 7th AS Airmen will deploy as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift
Squadron to various locations throughout Europe, Southwest Asia and the
Middle East area of responsibility. They will replace McChord's 8th
Airlift Squadron which is scheduled to return home in early July.

"We are excited to go help our joint partners by delivering the 'stuff
to the fight' as a deployed airlift squadron. Living and working along
side our Army partners at Fort Lewis, we understand the important
mission we are jointly committed to in the Global War on Terror," said
Lt. Col. Brian Newberry, 7th AS commander. "We'll be flying missions
into the area of operations every day, delivering troops and supplies
and keeping convoys off the roads. This is why we proudly serve."

McChord's four active duty flying squadrons share responsibility for the
deployed squadron. The 817th EAS, headquartered at Incirlik Air Base,
Turkey, is responsible for scheduling, planning and executing all C-17
missions into the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility
including Afghanistan and Iraq

C-17 Formation

(62nd Airlift Wing release) – McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Local residents will see a rare sight when they look to the skies as 10 C-17s will take off from McChord to fly a formation exercise Friday morning.

McChord aircrews will partner with other units across the United States to participate in the Mobility Air Force Exercise, a bi-annual training exercise consisting of more than 50 Air Force aircraft. The aerial armada will join forces over Texas for the massive event.

The exercise will test and refine the overall combat capability of America’s mobility air forces along with the support systems responsible for generating, controlling and recovering a large force in a short period of time.

“This is a golden opportunity to enhance our level of teamwork and sharpen those skills critical to providing rapid mobility anywhere in the world,” said Maj. Tony Carr, mission commander with the 10th Airlift Squadron. “An exercise like this is at the core of our nation’s force projection capability and requires a massive and unified effort to pull off,”

Once the 10 aircraft are launched, aircrews from across the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command will work together to drop container delivery system bundles, typically used to re-supply troops in isolated forward operating bases; single heavy equipment platforms, which simulates infiltration or delivery of large pieces of equipment; and dual row equipment drop, typically used during the insertion of a combat force to seize an airfield or other piece of high-value terrain.

Nine McChord aircraft, flown by aircrews from both the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings, and one aircraft from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, will complete the 10-ship formation.

Airman Serving With Fort Lewis Green Berets Earns Silver Star

(62nd Airlift Wing Release_ – McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – An Airman will receive the Silver Star for individual bravery and heroism for service in Afghanistan during a ceremony Friday at 11 a.m. at McChord’s Clubs and Community Center.

Staff Sgt. Earl Covel is a joint terminal attack controller assigned to the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Lewis and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of the 1st Special Forces Group from Fort Lewis.

During a re-supply mission, his team came under attack from an estimated 200 Mujahedeen fighters trying to push coalition forces out of the city. Despite intense enemy fire, Sergeant Covel coordinated F-15 Eagle, AC-130 Gunship and F-18 Hornet close air support while ensuring adequate ground support from nearby Army Bradley fighting vehicles.

“SSgt Covel is receiving one of the highest awards given for valor … I am extremely proud of him,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Wilson, 5th ASOS commander. “His actions demonstrate courage and bravery in the face of enemy action.”

Employing highly-detailed communication channels from forward positions, JTACs direct combat aircraft to execute close-air support for U.S. ground forces. The 5th ASOS provides these specialized Airmen to directly support the Fort Lewis 2/75 Ranger Battalion and the 1st Special Forces Group.

The Silver Star Medal is the fourth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member in any branch of the military.

Honoring Fallen Police Officers

McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (62nd Airlift Release) – The Pierce County Police Chiefs Association will hold a ceremony to honor law enforcement professionals killed in the line of duty in Washington State Thursday at 6 p.m. at the McChord Air Force Base chapel.

The commemoration falls during National Police Week, a week set aside by President John F. Kennedy to pay tribute to law enforcement officers who gave their lives while serving the public.

McChord’s chapel staff and honor guard will participate in the ceremony honoring those whose lives were taken in the line of duty.

The commemoration is open to Department of Defense ID cardholders only.

Aussies at McChord

McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (62nd Airlift Release) –Members of the Royal Australian Air Force are furthering international ties and learning about the avionics of the C-17 Globemaster III in a formal class taught by U.S. Airmen at McChord.

In the U.S. Air Force, Airmen in six different specialties are required to maintain the C-17. However, the Australians only have two: mechanics and avionics. Because of this difference, McChord’s instructors had to design special lessons tailored to the Australian specialties. Each international course requires five U.S. Air Force instructors. Currently, there are 15 Australian Airmen attending the C-17A Avionics Maintenance Course and 13 attending the C-17A Mechanics Maintenance Course.

“We had to develop a course from scratch to mold to their specialties,” said Senior Master Sgt. Douglas Levesque, chief of the 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 12. “My guys did a great job developing the course.”

Last year, instructors from the 373rd TRS prepared 48 Australian maintainers for the country’s first C-17, which it received in December. The country will receive its second C-17 on May 11 and fly it through several U.S. Air Force bases, including McChord, before arriving in Australia. A total of four C-17 are scheduled for delivery to the RAAF by 2008.

Operation Deep Freeze

McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (62nd Airlift Wing PAO) — McChord C-17s, along with ski-equipped New York Air National Guard LC-130s redeployed from Christchurch, New Zealand, last week wrapping up the 2006-2007 season of Operation Deep Freeze. Operation Deep Freeze is a unique, joint and total force mission that has supported the National Science Foundation and U.S. Antarctic Program since 1955.

“Operation Deep Freeze is the most challenging, non-combat mission there is for us,” said Col. Damon Booth, 62nd Operations Group commander. “We ask our aircrews to land our mammoth C-17 on a frozen sheet of ice that is just a few feet thick. In some places this year, the ice wasn’t all that thick in places – you could actually see the water below the ice surfaces. But our aircrews thrive on challenges, and we’re ready for anything.”

During the recently-concluded 2006-2007 season, McChord C-17s flew 57 missions to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, from Christchurch carrying nearly four million pounds of cargo and 2,700 passengers. On the return missions from the frozen sea shelf of McMurdo, C-17 aircrews flew more than 720,000 pounds of cargo and 2,600 passengers back to Christchurch.

Lt. Col. Jim McGann, commander of Operation Deep Freeze, explained that the runway used at McMurdo was much like landing on Puget Sound’s Elliot Bay in Seattle – if Puget Sound was frozen solid.

“Despite that environment our aircrews flew into, landing and off- and on-loading people and cargo in temperatures at times (minus 58 degrees F) we didn’t miss a beat,” said Colonel McGann, who is assigned to the 62nd Operations Group. “McChord has been doing Operation Deep Freeze missions now for the last 10 years in a row, and we know what we’re doing.”

Earlier in the season, McChord C-17 aircrews achieved an airpower milestone Dec. 19 by completing the first C-17 airdrop mission delivering about 70,000 pounds of supplies to the South Pole.

The airdrop was required in order to test the aircraft in the harsh conditions it will perform under should the mission continue. Crews wanted to see how the avionics systems, cargo ramp and door and parachute deployment shoot perform under the -40 C temperature the C-17 and crew will encounter above Antarctica’s frozen surface.

The last airdrop at the South Pole was in 1999 by a C-141 Starlifter that was also flown by McChord Airmen. The ability to airdrop supplies using the C-17 versus the LC-130, which is the traditional platform used to airland supplies on the ice, allows aircrews to deliver up to four times as much supplies in a single airdrop mission in conditions that do not permit airland missions.

Aircrews and support members from McChord’s 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings teamed up with Airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard to support air operations for Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica. Plans are already underway for the 2007-2008 Operation Deep Freeze missions.