SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Over the span of 15 days 380th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron members successfully coordinated the removal of accumulated rubber build-up off of 560,000 square feet of an active runway at an undisclosed location, Dec. 19, 2016.
The standard process of rubber removal became logistically more complicated as various aircraft, supporting Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, continued mission-essential operations in taking the fight to Da’esh.
“This project was successful only because of extensive coordination,” Senior Airman Jesse, 380th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron contracting officer, said. “It was very rewarding to work with such a great group of individuals and I believe this project helped broaden everyone's perspective of what we can accomplish when we work together.”
Typically, a runway would be temporarily closed to let contractors complete the time-extensive process of rubber removal. During this project however, rubber removal crews were given 5 minutes to safely evacuate the runway when an aircraft was either inbound or outbound.
“Attempting to keep operations going while at the same time [repairing a runway] makes life interesting on the runway,” Master Sgt. Christopher, 380 EOSS airfield manager, said. “Without a good team this would have never happened.”
During the multi-faceted operation several units took part in process including: weather, air traffic control, civil engineering, contracting, force protection, security forces and command post.
Captain Rodney, 380 EOSS flight commander, discussed the importance of team work during this operation.
“The most rewarding part of the project was seeing everyone working together to solve a difficult problem and ultimately enabling the delivery of decisive air power,” Captain Rodney said.