386th AEW crew flies last OIF mission and first OND sortie

Published Sept. 3, 2010
By Maj. Dale Greer
386th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- A Hercules transport plane and eight crew members from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing made history here when they completed the unit's final airlift mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last night and executed its first sortie in support of Operation New Dawn this morning.

Operation Iraqi Freedom, the U.S. military's 7-year-long offensive campaign and counterinsurgency effort in Iraq, officially ended Aug. 31, concurrent with the start of Operation New Dawn, a nation-building initiative based on strategic partnerships between the United States government and the Iraqi people.

The final OIF mission departed the 386th AEW flightline around 7 p.m. Aug. 31, flying more than 60 U.S. Army Soldiers from an undisclosed air base to Baghdad International Airport. The C-130 aircraft, assigned to the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here, then returned at 11 p.m. with a similar number of outbound troops, staying only long enough to refuel and reload before flying to back Baghdad early this morning. That sortie marked the wing's first mission in support of OND.

"This is a historic day in the United States military's ongoing efforts to help the Iraqi people build a sustainable democracy," said Col. Patrick X. Mordente, the pilot for both missions and the commander of the 386th AEW. "I couldn't be more proud of the accomplishments of this wing and its Airmen as we've worked to support Operation Iraqi Freedom since 2003, transporting hundreds of thousands of tons of cargo into and out of Iraq and across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Our wing's motto is 'Gateway to Victory,' and each Airman here has played a role in making that motto a reality.

"Now, as the U.S. military transitions to Operation New Dawn and a strategic partnership with the Iraqi people, the wing will continue to provide airlift and ground-transportation services in support of the 50,000 U.S. forces who remain there, building a better future in concert with the citizens and government of Iraq."

The 386th AEW has been essential to the prosecution of Operation Iraqi Freedom since standing up more than seven years ago, officials noted. Its C-130s have, for example, provided airlift to every forward operating base in Iraq, according to Col. Scott Brewer, commander of the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group.

"We've gone everywhere in Iraq, flying troops and cargo wherever they've needed to go," Colonel Brewer said. "You name a base, and we've probably been to it. In the past three months alone, our C-130s have flown 74,000 passengers and 1,700 tons of cargo into, out of and around Iraq, while C-17s based here have flown an addition 82,000 passengers and 34,000 tons of cargo. Both efforts contributed significantly to OIF and the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq."

Colonel Brewer said the wing's outstanding level of achievement during OIF is "a testament to the dedication of every Airman who's served here."

"This is a story about dedication, flexibility and adaptability across the board," he said. "Maintenance has to generate the aircraft, the aerial port has to prepare the cargo, and the aircrews have to fly the missions, often in a fluid environment marked by unpredictable mission needs. That's a pretty big picture, yet our wing consistently maintains a mission effectiveness rate in excess of 98 percent. That means 98 out of 100 missions are satisfied on time, while the rest typically get satisfied within the next 12 hours. It's all about teamwork."

That teamwork will continue in the months ahead as the wing provides airlift support for the 50,000 U.S. troops remaining in Iraq through 2011.

"We still need to support those 50,000 forces, so our job is far from complete," Colonel Brewer said. "We're still going to be delivering cargo and moving troops around Iraq as operational needs dictate. We're still going to be generating aircraft and flying the sorties that keep the theater moving, each and every day. It's what we do, and we will continue to do it as long as we're needed."

The 386th AEW also played a key role in transporting tens of thousands of troops back to the United States during OIF, providing base operating support for the 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, an Air Mobility Command tenant unit here.

The 5th EAMS operates the busiest aerial port of debarkation in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, said Lt. Col. Aaron Gittner, unit commander. One of their missions is to provide commercial airlift for military members leaving the theater at the end of their tours or for mid-tour rest and rehabilitation.

"We've been moving about 23,000 passengers and about 10,000 tons of cargo a month, which is split pretty evenly between in-bound and out-bound flights," Colonel Gittner said. "Our numbers have been falling off a bit recently with the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq, because fewer troops have been coming into the theater, but we will continue to support the remaining forces for some time to come. Logistics is an essential part of Operation New Dawn, just as it was an essential part of Operation Iraqi Freedom."

Ground transportation is another arena in which the wing provided substantial support for OIF, according to Col. Tal W. Metzgar, commander of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group.

The group is home to the 387th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, the only long-haul combat trucking unit in the United States Air Force. In the past six months, the squadron's 320 personnel have moved nearly 900,000 tons of cargo and rolling stock into and out of Iraq, carrying everything from electric generators to Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles as they covered more than 6 million miles of dangerous roads.

"During the recent surge of troops and equipment coming out of Iraq as part of the responsible drawdown of forces, our Airmen comprised approximately 49 percent of available combat trucking resources, but they accomplished over 60 percent of the line-haul missions," Colonel Metzgar said.

"I am continually impressed by our NCOs and the level of responsibility we place on them to get the mission done. Orchestrating a convoy of 40 or more vehicles, including contract drivers and gun trucks, is no small feat.

"Our Airmen are highly trained, intelligent and combat-seasoned. Every time they go outside the wire, they are in-synch with one another and dedicated to mission accomplishment. It's a beautiful thing.

"While U.S. forces may be at a new steady state in Iraq as a result of the responsible drawdown, our combat truckers will continue to provide support for on-going reconstruction efforts there. As always, we will provide the best-qualified Airmen to accomplish this unique mission until our services here are no longer required."

For more photos showing the wing's combat trucking, aircraft maintenance and airlift operations, view this slideshow.