506 EOSS deployed facility named the best in Air Force

The 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq is named the U.S. Air Force 2009 Deployed Facility of the Year. The squadron is noted for providing support of 340,000 sorties and transporting more than 30,000 passengers. They managed more than 8,000 short tons of cargo throughout the Area of Responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Tabitha Kuykendall/Released)

Published May 20, 2010
By Master Sgt. Martie Moore
506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, IRAQ -- The 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq was recently named the U.S. Air Force 2009 Deployed Facility of the Year.

"I'm extremely proud of my squadron for winning this award. It's a testament to the caliber of people we have, and have had, in the 506th EOSS," said Lt. Col. Jeff Smith, 506th EOSS commander. "Kirkuk's operating environment poses some new and unique challenges for our Airmen; the tools and resources available to them here are different from what they're used to at home. Their coworkers are constantly changing, and the combat mission demands constant and immediate support. The airfield is critical to the success of our military mission, and also to the success of the Iraqi Air Force and our inter-agency partners. If we fail to keep the airfield running, lives are literally at stake."

The squadron is noted for providing support of 340,000 sorties and transporting more than 30,000 passengers. In addition, they managed more than 8,000 short tons of cargo throughout the Area of Responsibility.

"One of the squadron's biggest accomplishments over the past year is the work we've done turning Kirkuk into a modern airport. Our airfield managers oversaw more than $55 million in construction projects that included new navigational aids and lighting for the field, new air traffic control radar coverage for all of northern Iraq, and more than 273 thousand square feet of new ramp space," said Colonel Smith. "Not only do these improvements create a safer, more effective operating environment for our military forces, but they greatly enhance Iraq's aviation infrastructure and lay the groundwork for Iraq to expand both its Air Force and civil air presence in Kirkuk after U.S. forces depart. It's a huge step towards autonomy for the Iraqi people, and it wouldn't have been possible without the dedicated efforts of several rotations of 506th EOSS Airmen."