Photo By Eric Harrison | Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Airman Cheyne Kehoe, a member of the Electronic Attack...... read more read more
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By Navy Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eric Harrison
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Servicemembers stationed with the Electronic Attack Squadron, 134 "Garudas," here act as a lifeline to the aviators who patrol the skies over Afghanistan every day.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin McColl and Airman Cheyne Kehoe, both aircrew survival equipment men, maintain and issue the gear that takes care of the aviators in the air and potentially everything they would need to survive on the ground.
According to Navy Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate David Quant, aircraft division chief, there is a heavily combined effort to make sure the EA-6B Prowler's systems are operational and the job that the ASE men perform is paramount for the aviators' safety.
"There would be a loss of aircrew without these guys doing their job right," said Quant, a Los Angeles native.
Garuda aircrews have amassed nearly 1,700 operational flight hours since arriving at Bagram in January and according to aircraft division officer Air Force Lt. David Elias; they wouldn't be able to perform their mission without the attention to detail of the ASE.
"It's like the ultimate insurance policy to know if you need the equipment when you're on the ground and in a new environment, to know that your equipment is going to be there and working for you," said Elias.
The primary mission of the EA-6B Prowler is suppression of enemy air defenses in support of strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence within the combat area. Being able to perform that mission with the knowledge that the equipment is there for him if he needs it is not lost on Elias.
"Knowing that the gear is 100 percent ready to go lets us be able to take that aircraft up and know if we need it, it's going to work," Elias continued.
McColl echoed Elias's faith in the job they do.
"It's hair-raising knowing that you could be the last person who deals with the aircrew's gear in an unfortunate accident that he does have to eject," said McColl, the Eugene, Ore., native. "I wouldn't let these guys step out the door with anything that I wouldn't wear myself."
Elias, a Phoenix native, went on to say that the Garudas' mission in Afghanistan is very gratifying for the aircrews.
"We're directly supporting the guys on the ground, and you can't put a price tag on what's like to go up and support those types of missions," Elias said.
The Garudas are based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., and are scheduled to be replaced by the VAQ-133 "Wizards."
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2007 07:38 |
| Story ID: | 10894 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 42 |
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