Bagram's Airmen 'Win'
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --
Airmen from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing are hard at work each and every day fulfilling the wing's mission: "Support the fight and defend the base." The successful fulfillment of these two mission priorities culminate in the wing's third priority: "win."
According to the wing's commander, Maj. Gen. Darryl Roberson, the 455 AEW's vision is to be responsive and precise - responsive to the needs of the war fighters on the ground and precise in the effects of airpower.
Col. Michael Feely, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group deputy commander, emphasized the wing's Airmen win by embodying the wing commander's motto: "Be a force multiplier!"
"We win by everybody being a force multiplier and doing the best they can with their individual jobs," Feely, a Pennsylvania native, said. "We win not by the equipment we have, but we win because every Airman out there from the general to the one-striper is doing his job the best he can. We have the best trained force in the world."
Feely also said "we win" by the consistent excellent performance of duty and display of strength and unity in the wing.
"Nobody acts independently," the colonel said. "It's a chain, and we're only as strong as the weakest link. We couldn't put bombs on target without the efforts of each and every Airman involved ... and that's what is incredible. Every single thing that we do, everybody does a fantastic job."
General Roberson also recognized the value of the combined efforts of his Airmen in the joint fight.
"We are contributing in a very significant way to winning each and every day," the general said. Every Airman assigned here contributes in some way. The bottom line for me is we win because of our Airmen. We bring airpower to this fight every single day, and we are force multiplying the effects that are happening on the battlefield. Everything we do in one way or another is contributing to our success."
In an Air Force that starts from the ground up, the importance of ground efforts in the fight is not lost on Feely, who is also a C-130 Hercules pilot.
"When a plane comes in, the maintainers are ready to do their job so that the next mission can get underway; that way, the soldier waiting in the field for his food or ammunition can get what he needs. That is us winning - it's a culmination of everybody recognizing the importance of their mission and doing their job correctly."
One Airman directly responsible for helping put bombs on target is Senior Airman Matthew Wilson, a maintainer with the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He is responsible for maintenance of the weapons systems on F-16 Fighting Falcons.
"I feel my job is very critical to us winning," the Des Moines, Iowa, native said. "Without us putting weapons on the jets, their effectiveness on ground operations would be severely limited. Every time the jets come back without their bombs, I feel like while I may not have pulled the trigger, I was the guy standing in the background loading the gun making that possible."
Another way Bagram's Airmen win is through interaction with the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and local nationals.
"Our interaction with them is really an importance piece of what's going on here," said Col. Eric Rundquist, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander. "Partnering with them is important because at the end of the day, they represent victory from our perspective. Their ability to conduct operations in a lawful and democratically supported way is important. Ultimately, their ability to conduct operations on their own means we're winning."
The 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron is one of many units in the wing directly interacting with Afghan forces, providing critical aerial port training to the Afghan National Army Air Force.
"We bring ANAAF personnel here to help them get a feel for how we do business," said Chief Master Sgt. Randy Reynolds, 455 EAPS superintendent. "We show them how to properly process vehicles and cargo for air shipment."
The training partnership with Afghan allies is one aspect that the 455 EAPS commander, Lt. Col. Daniel Lemon, sees key to helping build up and establish the ANAAF.
"We're building partnership capability," Lemon said. "We are teaching them to mobilize and project their forces throughout their country; and ultimately that is us winning."
Rundquist agreed with his squadron commander's assessment.
"The more and more they are able to do the mission and stand up on their own ... every positive step that's taken forward means it'll require less and less American boots on the ground here to help them out."
Addressing and understanding the Afghans concerns results in an increased feeling of mutual respect and cooperation," Rundquist, a Homestead, Fla., native said. "That's a big piece of how we're assisting with the win piece."
While working closely with Afghan military forces is key to continued success, Rundquist also feels working with local nationals is critical.
"The idea of working with local nationals is absolutely essential to what we're trying to do here," the colonel said. "We treat them fairly and show them that through hard work, diligence and proper oversight they can get an honest living and succeed. I think by showing them good fair labor practices - that's a very important economic piece that's critical to us winning."
Rundquist also sees continued responsive and precise airpower as key to U.S. forces continuing to succeed with the gradual draw down.
"I would like to think that as our boots on the ground start to shrink based on presidential directives, airpower is going to have to increase to try to make up for that BOG difference," Rundquist said. "I would argue that as the Army footprint starts to decrease, the reliance on airpower becomes even greater. Limited ground forces need to get to the fight quicker and have smarter Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms, precise Close Air Support and battlefield mobility."
According to General Roberson, another way the wing wins is by the medical care provided for not only U.S. and coalition forces, but for the Afghans as well.
"The humanity that we as Americans show is foremost in how we win," General Roberson said. "We win in the way we take care of these Afghans. It doesn't' matter if they're a local villager or a member of the Taliban we've captured - if they come through the doors of our hospital they're going to receive the best medical care we can provide."
Tech Sgt. Latisha Shirley, a 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron surgical technician is one of the Airmen committed to helping anyone who needs medical attention.
"I feel like we win by saving lives and helping our troops get home," the Anderson, S.C., native said. "Once a patient comes in, we take care of them the best way we can."
The 455th Expeditionary Medical Group at Craig Joint Theater Hospital opens its doors to Afghans each week for standard clinical visits as well as taking care of emergency needs. Patients range from 1 to 70 year olds, and according to Shirley, each receives compassionate care.
"I feel like with the local population, sometimes all they see is the harsh side of war outside of these walls," Shirley said. "But then they come here, and we're compassionate and loving. We take care of them just like we would take care of our own. They love and appreciate us and always have a smile on their face. We are absolutely winning their heart and minds."
General Roberson said he could not be more proud of his Airmen and is grateful to be able to lead such outstanding combat Airmen.
"I'm completely honored and privileged to be in this position with so many people that have raised their right hand, deployed to combat operations and are willing to give up their lives in defense of their country," the general said.
The general also stressed the importance of Airmen continuing to win.
"What I ask our Airmen to do is to do your job right the first time," he said. "Whatever job you're responsible for, there is no rush. We don't need to compromise safety. We know what our standards are, and those things are even more important now in combat scenarios. Slow down, and do it right the first time, and it will allow us to continue to win."
"We are winning, and I could not be more impressed with our young Airmen," the general continued. "They're accomplishing this demanding mission every day, 24/7. What an honor it is to be able to command these heroes."
During a recent visit, Gen. John R. Allen, International Security Assistance Force commander, commented on the wing's demanding mission and its hard-working Airmen.
"This is probably one of the busiest facilities I've seen in a long time. It's a very, very complicated environment, but it's one that is managed and led extraordinarily well," said General Allen. "I had the chance to meet the Chief of Staff of the Air Force a few days ago, where I commented on the extraordinary work of the Airmen across the area of responsibility and in particular, this base. It was a great opportunity to meet General Schwartz, but also brag on them here for a bit."
(Editor's note: this is the final article of a three-part series)
According to the wing's commander, Maj. Gen. Darryl Roberson, the 455 AEW's vision is to be responsive and precise - responsive to the needs of the war fighters on the ground and precise in the effects of airpower.
Col. Michael Feely, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group deputy commander, emphasized the wing's Airmen win by embodying the wing commander's motto: "Be a force multiplier!"
"We win by everybody being a force multiplier and doing the best they can with their individual jobs," Feely, a Pennsylvania native, said. "We win not by the equipment we have, but we win because every Airman out there from the general to the one-striper is doing his job the best he can. We have the best trained force in the world."
Feely also said "we win" by the consistent excellent performance of duty and display of strength and unity in the wing.
"Nobody acts independently," the colonel said. "It's a chain, and we're only as strong as the weakest link. We couldn't put bombs on target without the efforts of each and every Airman involved ... and that's what is incredible. Every single thing that we do, everybody does a fantastic job."
General Roberson also recognized the value of the combined efforts of his Airmen in the joint fight.
"We are contributing in a very significant way to winning each and every day," the general said. Every Airman assigned here contributes in some way. The bottom line for me is we win because of our Airmen. We bring airpower to this fight every single day, and we are force multiplying the effects that are happening on the battlefield. Everything we do in one way or another is contributing to our success."
In an Air Force that starts from the ground up, the importance of ground efforts in the fight is not lost on Feely, who is also a C-130 Hercules pilot.
"When a plane comes in, the maintainers are ready to do their job so that the next mission can get underway; that way, the soldier waiting in the field for his food or ammunition can get what he needs. That is us winning - it's a culmination of everybody recognizing the importance of their mission and doing their job correctly."
One Airman directly responsible for helping put bombs on target is Senior Airman Matthew Wilson, a maintainer with the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He is responsible for maintenance of the weapons systems on F-16 Fighting Falcons.
"I feel my job is very critical to us winning," the Des Moines, Iowa, native said. "Without us putting weapons on the jets, their effectiveness on ground operations would be severely limited. Every time the jets come back without their bombs, I feel like while I may not have pulled the trigger, I was the guy standing in the background loading the gun making that possible."
Another way Bagram's Airmen win is through interaction with the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and local nationals.
"Our interaction with them is really an importance piece of what's going on here," said Col. Eric Rundquist, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander. "Partnering with them is important because at the end of the day, they represent victory from our perspective. Their ability to conduct operations in a lawful and democratically supported way is important. Ultimately, their ability to conduct operations on their own means we're winning."
The 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron is one of many units in the wing directly interacting with Afghan forces, providing critical aerial port training to the Afghan National Army Air Force.
"We bring ANAAF personnel here to help them get a feel for how we do business," said Chief Master Sgt. Randy Reynolds, 455 EAPS superintendent. "We show them how to properly process vehicles and cargo for air shipment."
The training partnership with Afghan allies is one aspect that the 455 EAPS commander, Lt. Col. Daniel Lemon, sees key to helping build up and establish the ANAAF.
"We're building partnership capability," Lemon said. "We are teaching them to mobilize and project their forces throughout their country; and ultimately that is us winning."
Rundquist agreed with his squadron commander's assessment.
"The more and more they are able to do the mission and stand up on their own ... every positive step that's taken forward means it'll require less and less American boots on the ground here to help them out."
Addressing and understanding the Afghans concerns results in an increased feeling of mutual respect and cooperation," Rundquist, a Homestead, Fla., native said. "That's a big piece of how we're assisting with the win piece."
While working closely with Afghan military forces is key to continued success, Rundquist also feels working with local nationals is critical.
"The idea of working with local nationals is absolutely essential to what we're trying to do here," the colonel said. "We treat them fairly and show them that through hard work, diligence and proper oversight they can get an honest living and succeed. I think by showing them good fair labor practices - that's a very important economic piece that's critical to us winning."
Rundquist also sees continued responsive and precise airpower as key to U.S. forces continuing to succeed with the gradual draw down.
"I would like to think that as our boots on the ground start to shrink based on presidential directives, airpower is going to have to increase to try to make up for that BOG difference," Rundquist said. "I would argue that as the Army footprint starts to decrease, the reliance on airpower becomes even greater. Limited ground forces need to get to the fight quicker and have smarter Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms, precise Close Air Support and battlefield mobility."
According to General Roberson, another way the wing wins is by the medical care provided for not only U.S. and coalition forces, but for the Afghans as well.
"The humanity that we as Americans show is foremost in how we win," General Roberson said. "We win in the way we take care of these Afghans. It doesn't' matter if they're a local villager or a member of the Taliban we've captured - if they come through the doors of our hospital they're going to receive the best medical care we can provide."
Tech Sgt. Latisha Shirley, a 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron surgical technician is one of the Airmen committed to helping anyone who needs medical attention.
"I feel like we win by saving lives and helping our troops get home," the Anderson, S.C., native said. "Once a patient comes in, we take care of them the best way we can."
The 455th Expeditionary Medical Group at Craig Joint Theater Hospital opens its doors to Afghans each week for standard clinical visits as well as taking care of emergency needs. Patients range from 1 to 70 year olds, and according to Shirley, each receives compassionate care.
"I feel like with the local population, sometimes all they see is the harsh side of war outside of these walls," Shirley said. "But then they come here, and we're compassionate and loving. We take care of them just like we would take care of our own. They love and appreciate us and always have a smile on their face. We are absolutely winning their heart and minds."
General Roberson said he could not be more proud of his Airmen and is grateful to be able to lead such outstanding combat Airmen.
"I'm completely honored and privileged to be in this position with so many people that have raised their right hand, deployed to combat operations and are willing to give up their lives in defense of their country," the general said.
The general also stressed the importance of Airmen continuing to win.
"What I ask our Airmen to do is to do your job right the first time," he said. "Whatever job you're responsible for, there is no rush. We don't need to compromise safety. We know what our standards are, and those things are even more important now in combat scenarios. Slow down, and do it right the first time, and it will allow us to continue to win."
"We are winning, and I could not be more impressed with our young Airmen," the general continued. "They're accomplishing this demanding mission every day, 24/7. What an honor it is to be able to command these heroes."
During a recent visit, Gen. John R. Allen, International Security Assistance Force commander, commented on the wing's demanding mission and its hard-working Airmen.
"This is probably one of the busiest facilities I've seen in a long time. It's a very, very complicated environment, but it's one that is managed and led extraordinarily well," said General Allen. "I had the chance to meet the Chief of Staff of the Air Force a few days ago, where I commented on the extraordinary work of the Airmen across the area of responsibility and in particular, this base. It was a great opportunity to meet General Schwartz, but also brag on them here for a bit."
(Editor's note: this is the final article of a three-part series)
