Busiest in DOD, Balad Air Base sets new record

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Tony Tolley | As the sun sets over Balad Air Base, Iraq, a C-130 Hercules cargo plane from the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron is prepared for another mission at the busiest single-runway airfield in The Defense Department. By forward-deploying C-130s for the first time in a combat zone, the Air Force is flying more in-theater airlift missions and reducing the number of ground convoys. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tony R. Tolley)  

IRAQ

06.15.2006

Courtesy Story

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

The busiest single runway in the Defense Department broke its own record with a traffic count of more than 1,300 cargo aircraft for May.

Second in the world only to London's Heathrow Airport, Balad AB beat its previous cargo aircraft record by more than 100 for the number of aircraft that fly in and out of a single-runway airport.

"There is no more strategic location in Iraq than here," said Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "This wing and Balad Air Base are not only helping Iraq transition to democracy, but are also keeping thousands of Soldiers off the roads every month."

Since October 2004, the base has served as a central hub for airlift missions and has the busiest aerial port in Iraq. From this hub, the cargo is flown out like spokes from the center of a wheel.

The 332d AEW is the first Air Force wing to ever forward-base a squadron of C-130 cargo aircraft in a combat zone.

"Every time one of our aircraft flies, that is a truck that doesn't have to drive on the streets of Iraq," said Lt. Col. Dan Dagher, 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander. "We've helped the Army reduce traffic on the most dangerous routes in Iraq."

The use of C-130s flying more in-theater airlift missions has reduced the number of ground convoys needed in the Sunni triangle " the previous home of Saddam Hussein's powerbase and much of today's insurgent activity. By reducing the convoys driving in the area inside Tikrit, Ar Ramadi and just south of Baghdad, C-130 cargo missions have reduced the number of troops exposed to possible roadside bombs and attacks.

"There is a lot less threat to aircraft than to trucks along the roads," Colonel Dagher said. "Our unit moves the equivalent of about 30 truckloads of cargo per day. That's 30 trucks that don't have to go into harm's way."

Since January, the unit has moved more than 13,000 truckloads of people, equipment and cargo. In addition to reducing Army convoy operations, the airlift squadron flies aeromedical evacuations and moves detainees to prisons.

"Airlift is critical to the success of coalition efforts," General Gorenc said. "We have the busiest aerial port in Iraq. Despite manning levels well below normal aerial ports and the harsh expeditionary conditions, we are able to move as much as most permanent bases because of a tremendous mission focus. I am very proud of this operation."

• Date Taken: 06.15.2006
• Date Posted: 06.15.2006 09:41
• Story ID: 6812
• Location: IQ