KC-10 flight engineer discusses surpassing 300 combat sorties in Southwest Asia

Published June 9, 2010
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Just days after completing his 300th combat mission as a KC-10 Extender flight engineer May 21 here, Master Sgt. Brian Fahey wasn't inclined to stop what he was doing -- he just went on doing more missions.

"The thing I think of most is that the job is not yet finished," Sergeant Fahey said. "We have a huge task ahead of us and we aren't done. We have to ensure the mission is complete."

Sergeant Fahey, deployed with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, will most likely finish his current deployment with around 315 combat air missions. Deployed from the 305th Air Mobility Wing's 32nd Air Refueling Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Sergeant Fahey said he remembers his first combat mission for Operation Enduring Freedom vividly.

"My first combat mission was flown in Afghanistan, on Dec. 4, 2001," said Sergeant Fahey, who flew his first 145 combat missions on the MH-53 Pave Low helicopter. "We flew via helicopter on a 13-hour mission and inserted a special operations team with joint tactical air controllers to start air strikes on Kandahar to help move the Marine division into position for the first assault on Kandahar Airfield.

"It took three air refuelings to get the job done," Sergeant Fahey said. "Eventually, the Green Berets we inserted took and seized Kandahar Airfield. We flew nonstop missions every night until we linked up with elements of the Northern Alliance led by President Harmid Karzai to take the airfield about two weeks lBrianb ater. We were extremely proud to serve at the time."

His last 160-plus combat missions have been as a KC-10 flight engineer supporting operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with the 908th EARS. That effort has been over multiple deployments and lots and lots of flying hours -- has more than 1,800 for his career now.

To have a successful flying career, Sergeant Fahey said it also requires the help of many others. He said he is particularly thankful for the aircraft maintainers.

"I am thankful every day for our maintainers," Sergeant Fahey said. "They are the heart and soul of what we do. Without them, we couldn't fly. They deploy constantly and they work under the hardest of conditions. They brave the elements, fix the jets, keep the fuel flowing, and most importantly, they brave the elements day and night with little thanks to get the job done. I would say, give me a few crew chiefs, a plane to fly, and a solid crew and we will get the job done."

Sergeant Fahey said he is also proud of his fellow aircrew members. I love the fact that I can get together with a mix of officers and enlisted Airmen and make things happen.," he said. "We fly below minimum fuel at times to ensure close air support. When I flew helicopters, it was the same thing. We come together as a team to get the job done. I am very proud to wear the American flag on my shoulder with my team on every mission."

A native of Lakewood, N.J., Sergeant Fahey said he's proud to continue to serve in the military. His support for the war effort is significant too. During the first four months of 2010, KC-10 Extenders and the deployed Airmen who fly them like Sergeant Fahey flew more than 1,200 sorties off-loading more than 143 million gallons of fuel to more than 8,700 aircraft supporting deployed operations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

For Sergeant Fahey, even though he's been flying combat mission since the start of OEF in 2001, he said he will continue on flying the missions as long as they need him to.

"In perspective -- we are a nation at war," Sergeant Fahey said. "I have lost some friends, and have had a handful of friends come home 'missing pieces' after they were gravely injured during air operations. I have survived a number of surface-to-air engagements, but in turn am very proud of the combat support the KC-10 provides to the combatants in the field.

"We keep the close air support right at hand to engage enemy forces," Sergeant Fahey said. "If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't have it any other way. I am due to go home soon, but I will remember to stay ready to come back as soon as I am needed. Deploying is part of being in the military. It's the greatest task that we can meet to fulfill our oath of enlistment."