Photo By Tech. Sgt. Aaron Oelrich | A C-17 Globmaster III, from the 535th airlift squadron, sits on the filightline on...... read more read more
RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, providing unique training opportunities that help participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. Twenty-six nations, 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise.
Approximately 60 of the 200 aircraft participating in RIMPAC fall under the responsibility of the Airfield Management Flight.
“This is the busiest time for my Airmen,” said Tech. Sgt. Bryan Masters, 15th OSS Airfield Management Operations non-commissioned officer in charge. “It is a fast operational tempo with an increase in aircraft arrivals and departures, coordinating support services for the aircraft, and an increase in the amount of training that is given to support personnel.”
The Airfield Management flight is manned by 12 Airmen that keep the office operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The team tracks all inbound and outbound aircraft, develops airfield parking planes, and schedules essential aircraft services, such as liquid oxygen, fuel and laboratory services.
In addition to providing parking plans and aircraft services, the airfield management flight also oversees the airfield driving program. This means they are responsible for training and tracking of all personnel and vehicles on the airfield.
During RIMPAC 2016, it is expected that an additional 300 drivers and approximately 100 vehicles will be on JBPHH’s airfield. Every one of the drivers will be trained and each vehicle will be processed through the Air Field Management Office.
As big as RIMPAC is, it doesn’t stop the everyday mission of the Air Field Management office, which is to provided parking and aircraft services to transit aircraft as they pass through the Pacific.
“It is amazing to see the Airmen adapt seamlessly to the increased operational tempo,” said Masters. “They do an outstanding job without a single complaint.”
Masters is not the only one who is impressed with the Airmen of the Air Field Management Office.
“[The Airmen of Air Feld Management Office] were very helpful as we planned to participate in RIMPAC,” said Lt. Cmdr Noriko Kodama, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Detachment 51 maintenance officer. “They were very clear and patent when providing flight line driver training to the detachment and they answered all of our questions. I feel very comfortable being here.”
RIMPAC started June 29 and runs through Aug. 4.
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.20.2016 15:25 |
| Story ID: | 204510 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 487 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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