22nd EARS goes where needed to make mission happen

U.S. Air Force Capt. Logan Smith, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, conducts a pre-flight safety briefing with other crew members during a refueling mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Transit Center from Fairchild AFB, Wash. and conduct daily missions over Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster/ Released)

22nd EARS goes where needed to make mission happen

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Frank Pappalardo, KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator, performs and air refueling over Afghanistan, August 3, 2012. A1C Pappalardo is part of the 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq., based out of Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster/Released)

22nd EARS goes where needed to make mission happen

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon (Viper) is refueled over Afghanistan during overseas contingency operations, August 3, 2012. The 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq. (EARS) conducts missions out of Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, and plays an integral role in keeping air assets refueled in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster/ Released)

22nd EARS goes where needed to make mission happen

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer is refueled over Afghanistan during overseas contingency operations, August 4, 2012. The 22d Expeditionary Air Refueling Sq. (EARS) conducts missions out of Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, and plays an integral role in keeping air assets refueled in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster/ Released)

22nd EARS goes where needed to make mission happen

Published Aug. 20, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Alexandria Mosness
Air Forces Central Public Affairs

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- The 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron here not only provides fuel to aircraft over Afghanistan, but they provide an airside service of bringing the fuel directly to the fight.

The 22nd EARS is the second biggest refueling squadron in the Air Force with approximately 110 people in the squadron. They don't have a problem staying busy, said Lt. Col. Russell Davis, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron commander.

The squadron has flown more than 2,450 sorties and offloaded more than 126 million pounds of fuel to more than 10,000 receivers in support of 3,000 shows of force and troops in contact, according to the commander.

"In the last 20 months, the 22nd EARS has supported more than 1,100 troops in contact," Davis added. "The 22nd EARS crews fueled planes that directly support troops in contact on the ground."

This is no small feat, but the difference between life and death.

"Being able to support people who are on the ground in contact is very rewarding," the commander continued. "We help get them to their families."

The tankers are the unsung heroes, he exclaimed.

"Without the tanker, the fighters have less flying time and less munitions," Davis said. "It is especially important with Afghanistan being a landlocked country."

The 22nd EARS goes where needed to make the mission happen, he continued.

While the squadron is pumping the fuel and flying downrange, they also take care of business here.

"We rotate crew members in at a high rate," Davis said. "We have 14 different squadrons here today, so it is really dynamic. Everyone has strengths we can tap into."
But, the mission in the air would not be able to happen without the maintainers on the ground.

"We have 93 percent aircraft availability," added the commander. "We have the highest mission capability rate in the area of operation, and that is because we do so well on the maintenance side. Planners plan to have about 80 percent of our aircraft working, but our rate is around 90 percent. Our maintenance Airmen are doing amazing things. I have seen them take out and replace an engine in an hour and a half."

Although the 22nd EARS Airmen stay busy with their high operations tempo, they still find time to volunteer in the Kyrgyz communities

"We sponsor three schools in the local community," said Davis. "We have three different priorities. The first is to fuel the fight and do it safely. The second is to develop U.S. and Kyrgyz relationships. [By volunteering] we are affecting the next generation of their children. And third, I want people to come here and have an active role and make their surroundings better."

Whether it is fostering relationships with the Kyrgyz people or fueling the fight downrange, the 22nd EARS actions have proved, they will do whatever is needed to support Operation Enduring Freedom.