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JET Airmen represent "crown jewel" of operation in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Wes Carter
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  In Iraq, Airmen of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing continue the legacy and heritage of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Most of these Airmen are stationed at Joint Base Balad, but some find themselves at forward operating bases throughout the country as Joint Expeditionary Tasked Airmen.

As part of the 732nd Expeditionary Group approximately 1,100 JET Airmen are divided into five squadrons. Their mission has them working hand-in-hand with sister services or the U.S. State Department on a regular basis.

"Our Airmen do everything from document and media exploitation to movement control teams," said Col. Charles Douglass, the 732nd Expeditionary Group commander. "They also advise our Iraqi partners in logistics and police work."

Like other Airmen supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, JET Airmen are dedicated to preparing the country for the day when U.S. combat forces are out of Iraq. As the government of Iraq continues to find its footing as a sovereign nation, JET Airmen work with Iraqi officials to establish Iraqi Special Forces, train and mentor Iraqi police and advise leaders on economic activities.

"I am especially proud of the impact our Airmen have on the strengthening partnership of the US and Iraq," said Colonel Douglass. "I think our Airmen excel in their duties in Iraq because their JET deployments are a little different than the normal AEF rotation they may get - they enjoy the challenges."

Jet Airmen do not only have inimitable deployment experiences, but the opportunity to work in an environment unique from their peers allows for different learning experiences.
"The deployment has taught me how to be very flexible," said 1st Lt. Jenny Gibson, a 732nd Expeditionary Prime Beef Squadron foreign excess personal property engineer. "I feel like you can throw anything at me and it wouldn't surprise me."

Lieutenant Gibson is part of a four-person shop responsible for working with Iraqis on infrastructure projects to increase education opportunities by building schools and increasing the standard of living by finding ways to get potable water into more Iraqi households. These missions can put a lot of responsibility on a JET Airman, but the consensus among Air Force leadership is that they continuously surpass expectations.

"JET Airmen are one of the crown jewels of the 332nd's mission in Iraq," said Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, the 332nd AEW commander. "Their phenomenal work across the country contributes to the proud Tuskegee Airman heritage."

Like other members of the 332nd AEW, JET Airmen are scheduled to responsibly draw down by December, 2011 and one 732nd AEG squadron is already packing up. The 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron will be inactivated June 7, 2010.

The 732nd ELRS has operated at 24 locations in Iraq to support joint missions through the country.