AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Maintainers with the 521st Air Mobility Operations Group, Detachment 5, also known as the “Jackals,” have kept on their toes maintaining C-5 Galaxies and C-17 Globemaster III’s passing through Iraq, ensuring they are in “tip top” shape to keep troops and cargo moving through safely.
“We’ve got C-5's coming in here and we’re making sure they’re getting out of here in tip top shape,” said Senior Airman Douglas Osman, 521st AMOG, Det. 5, engine specialist deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. “We’re providing reliable aircraft to all downrange missions and getting cargo to people who need it.”
Over the third quarter of this year, Airmen here have maintained more than 120 Galaxy and Globemaster arrivals and departures per month, that have moved more than 42,000 passengers and nearly 8,000 tons of cargo.
The purpose of the 521st AMOG’s two geographically separated units at Al Asad and Joint Base Balad are to reduce the need for maintenance recovery teams -- teams formed at another base to deploy and repair a non-mission capable aircraft. Typically these teams deploy from outside Iraq.
“These guys here can fix an array of maintenance issues so we don’t have to call another set of people in to fix it,” said Capt. Amy Wilkins, 521st AMOG, Det. 5 commander, deployed from Eielson AFB, Alaska. “They can get the mission moving out a lot faster than it would be if they had to send troops and supplies in from the states.”
The team is formed with crew chiefs, engine, hydraulics, guidance and control, electrics, communication and navigation and supply specialists to make sure aircraft coming through don’t sit on the tarmac for an extended period of time, making certain they keep cargo and passengers moving throughout the theater.
“My crew here is motivated, highly trained and proud to serve their country,” said Master Sgt. Alvin Buenaventura, 521st AMOG, Det. 5, production superintendent, who’s is also deployed from Travis AFB and hails from Fairfield, Calif. “We’ve had a lot of aircraft to work on here at Al Asad during this time, but everyone performed their duties well, especially in the extreme environment.”
The maintainers here see the fruits of their labor everyday as troops and equipment come through aboard these giant aircraft and their job satisfaction is overwhelming.
“It’s a humbling experience,” said Airman Osman. Who hails from Granite Bay, Calif. “It’s pretty awesome to see all the equipment that we’re taking out of here and helping all our Soldiers get back home safe and sound. I couldn’t ask for any other job. It’s an awesome job.”
The feeling of pride in what they do, combined with the importance their mission resonates to the top of the detachment’s chain with Captain Wilkins.
The Butte, Mont., native said this is an awesome mission because they’re keeping people and cargo moving through the theater.
“Especially with the drawdown in Iraq, we need to get them out of here,” she said. “This is a great job. I really like it.”
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2010 04:04 |
| Story ID: | 56668 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 151 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, 521st AMOG keep Galaxies, Globemasters flying through Iraq, by SSgt Sanja Allen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
