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Balad servicemembers mark milestone in decreasing convoys, saving lives

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ruth Curfman
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq --  Deployed servicemembers here have prevented approximately 10,000 convoy vehicles and about 27,000 servicemembers from traveling along improvised explosive device laden Iraqi roads since the squadron stood up in January 2006.

To get these people and vehicles moved quickly and safely throughout the Iraqi theater of operations, members of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron have relied on airpower.
"The convoys are still facing a lot of threats out there," said Tech. Sgt. Eric McNeish, 777th EAS flight engineer, deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. "By providing air transport of much needed supplies, equipment or people, we are able to keep more vehicles and people off the roads and lessen their chances of encountering improvised explosive devices, direct gun fire or other harmful situations throughout these regions."

The C-130 Hercules aircraft, which the 777th EAS uses for its missions, is known as the 'work horse' of the Air Force fleet. The Hercules is capable of taking off and landing from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport aircraft for delivering personnel and equipment into hostile areas.

"We provide precision combat aerial delivery of cargo and passengers into austere environments in support of warfighter and humanitarian requirements," said Lt. Col. Bradley Hoagland, 777th EAS commander, deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

"We only need about 3,000 feet on an unimproved landing surface in order to land and takeoff, which makes the C-130 the most beneficial airframe for this mission right now," said Capt. Jesse Caldwell, 777th EAS aircraft commander, deployed from Little Rock AFB, Ark. "This is just one reason that we utilize the C-130 for these 'Hub-N-Spoke' missions."

The 'Hub-N-Spoke' concept, which the 777th EAS missions are based on, means that Balad Air Base is the logistical supply hub for the flights providing transport to people and cargo. The crew loads the aircraft with cargo and people from this "hub" and transports them to other locations within Iraq, otherwise known as the "spokes". The squadron personnel also have the ability to perform airdrops when needed.

Whether it is dropping cargo from the air or flying supplies and personnel to various airfields, the 777th EAS personnel depend heavily on working directly with other branches of the military to make it all happen.

"We are truly an integrated joint squadron comprised of people from all four branches of the military," Colonel Hoagland said. "We are able to work seamlessly together to accomplish the mission successfully. Although we all have our own way of doing things, we bring all of the expertise together which makes for a great working relationship."

Not only do the 777th EAS servicemembers work together to make airlift successful, they also are able to talk directly to the people affected by their mission -- the forces on the ground.

"If we can save one person by taking them out of harm's way, we have achieved our goal of making a positive impact," Captain Caldwell said. "We have been able to talk directly with the people that are on the ground and gain a better understanding and appreciation for what the other person needs to make this operation run more smoothly."