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EMXG lauded by French for team approach

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Alicia Root
  • 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan --  The team approach of the 376th Expeditionary Maintenance Group was recognized by a top French general with the International Security Assistance Force, here May 14.

Brig. Gen. Simon Tafani, Deputy Director, Air Coordination Element, Plans and Projects, Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force, thanked Col. Robert Athan, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander during his visit to the French detachment at Manas AB. The French General wanted to be sure the wing leadership was aware of how much the French detachment here appreciated the support from their U.S. counterparts.

"I want to thank the American airmen [of the 376th AEW and EMXG] for providing outstanding support to the French air refueling detachment at Manas AB. Their support is critical to ensuring the successful accomplishment of our mission," said the general.

The French detachment flies C135FRs, which is the same airframe as the KC-135 Stratotanker.
As a result, Manas maintainers often work side-by-side with their coalition partners to provide war-ready aircraft to accomplish aerial refueling missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Keeping aircraft operational is the goal for both of our forces and if we can help one another do that, it helps the mission overall," said Lt. Col. Tom Eisenhauer, 376th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander. The colonel is on a year tour at Manas and has seen the relationship get better and better over time.

Support has included supplying the French Coalition with aircraft parts, tools, equipment, vehicles, and in some cases study material to better understand and maintain the aircraft, he said.

Colonel Eisenhauer noted that key assistance was provided recently when the French detachment had to comply with a safety-directed, one-time inspection mandated by the French military.

"We supplied them with the tools and equipment to quickly remove the Multipoint Refueling System pods mounted at the wingtips of their C135FRs," said Colonel Eisenhauer. "The quick reaction and support by maintenance personnel allowed the French Coalition to drop their MPRS pods within hours and support an air-to-air refueling mission the very next day."

That meant no break in the support to ongoing operations in and over Afghanistan, the reason aircraft maintainers work around the clock - and with their coalition partners - to launch aircraft from Manas AB.