BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --
Fighter jets, helicopters, unmanned
aerial vehicles, small and large cargo planes are among few of the 46 different
types of aircraft that deployed service members help operate daily in-and-out
of the busiest single runway airfield in the Department of Defense.
Since 2006, the annual airfield
traffic count has increased from 143,705 to 333,610 as the support for Operation
Enduring Freedom continues. Airmen and civilian contractors work 24 hours a
day, seven days a week to ensure airfield operations are successfully
accomplished.
“We have completed 2.6 million
operations since 2006,” said Capt. Kyle Sultemeier, 455th
Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, airfield and airspace liaison
officer. “This breaks down to more than
700 operations a day. There is always
something happening whether it is people or cargo coming in-and- out, the
airfield is consistently busy.”
While missions are flown about
every two minutes, it takes hard work from individuals in multiple units to
ensure the execution of decisive airpower is achieved in a contingent
environment. Airmen and civilians in
units like Airfield Management, Civil Engineer, Aerial Port and Expeditionary
Base Defense have hands on the daily airfield operations.
The unit responsible for overseeing
majority of the airfield tasks is Airfield Operations. The unit is split into two sections, Airfield
Management, which is charged with the physical runways and ramps, and Air
Traffic Control, which supervises the airspace.
According to Sultemeier everything
that deals with flight plans, flying requests and pilot’s paperwork go through
airfield management. They also ensure
the myriad of aircraft traffic are marshalled in-and-out of the airfield, that
the flightline is clear of any foreign object debris which can cause aircraft
damage and develop plans to confirm there is enough parking area for all the
incoming aircraft.
“Everything that happens on the
airfield is essential,” said Sultemeier.
“For example if there is an indirect fire attack or some kind of damage
to the airfield, Civil Engineer would have a big presence in ensuring the
damage is fixed.”
After more than ten years of heavy
use, the airfield requires Civil Engineer Airmen to upkeep the wear and tear
that arises. They respond at a moment’s
notice to needed repairs and perform preventive maintenance to ensure the
airfield is operational. Recently, the
unit completed an extensive repair to the main runway ahead of schedule. The
success of the project prevented prolonged runway closures and expensive
repairs in the future.
“The 455th Expeditionary
Civil Engineer Squadron ensures operability of the airfield by providing
airfield maintenance, construction and operation for the senior airfield
authority mission,” said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Gilbert deployed from Air
National Guard in Portland, Oregon and a native of Turner, Oregon. “Bagram is the busiest combat logistical hub
in the DOD, and we have a no fail mission to keep the airfield open and safe.”
According to Gilbert, all Airmen
here are part of a no fail mission. They
are here to complete a specific task and work as a team to contribute to the
wing’s ability to perform its capabilities.
The wing’s units not only work as a
team within their sections but also with other units to allow a smooth flow of
the constant aircraft traffic.
The 455th Expeditionary Aerial
Port Squadron plays an important role because they coordinate all equipment,
personnel and life-saving supply movement that come into Afghanistan via the
airfield. As the busiest aerial port
squadron in the Department of Defense, by supporting the busy tempo, they have
serviced more than 14,300 missions and 114,700 short tons of cargo since the
beginning of the year.
The cargo operations that occur in
the airfield support all service members whether located here or forward
operating bases in Afghanistan.
“Airflow does not stop, nor do the
needs of our brothers and sisters operating in harm’s way,” said Chief Master
Sgt. Jamie Vanoss, 455th EAPS chief enlisted manager deployed from
Travis Air Force Base, California, and a native of Munster, Wisconsin.
“Delivering support to them is an unwavering commitment.”
As each unit plays an important
role in managing the busiest single runway airfield in the Department of
Defense, the requirement for protection of high value assets is necessary.
Airmen with the 455th Expeditionary Base Defense Squadron are vital
to the operation as they provide security for the aircraft and personnel on the
airfield.
Their part in the process allows
the execution of the flying mission by intercepting hazards onto the
flightline.
“We are vital to the defense of the
base,” said Airman 1st Class Tom Rusnak, 455 EBDS entry controller.
“Our job is important here so that others can do their job and feel safe doing
it. We want to ensure no one worries
about what might arise because we are here to stop potential incidents that may
occur on the airfield.”
Efficiency and safety are vital in
the success of flying operations that support Operation Enduring Freedom. While there are challenges with managing one
of the busiest airfields, the 455th Expeditionary Wing continues to
execute the mission as a team to ensure decisive airpower is accomplished.
“The biggest thing here is that we
are just another part of the team and another part of the big mission here at
Bagram,” said Sultemeier. “It is
interesting to see in a contingency environment how everything is tied
together. It is something really special
being here, to see how everyone comes together and adds their part to make
everything work is impressive. The mission is really well executed here.”