An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

'Hercs' integral to Air Force GWOT milestone

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jason McCree
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Since the tragic events of Sept. 11th, America's Air Force has been heavily engaged in flying missions at home and abroad at more than 100 deployed sites worldwide.

To combat terrorism, Airmen around the globe have launched more than 450 missions daily. This high operations tempo led the service to a major milestone on April 20: One million sorties flown since 9-11.

Airmen assigned to units around the world specializing in airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, fighter and reconnaissance missions have all contributed to this milestone. In the world of combat airlift, the men and women deployed to a wing nestled in the Persian Gulf Region have shouldered their share of these one million sorties.

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing utilizes its fleet of C-130 Hercules to help sustain the fight in the area of operations. The Hercules primarily performs the airlift mission's tactical component. The aircraft can operate from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.

The wing's cadre of Airmen have launched thousands of sorties since the Global War on Terrorism kicked off to locations throughout the Middle East and Horn of Africa.

The wing is able to integrate and synchronize its operations with coalition partners and sister services to carry out a flying mission that is integral to wartime operations.

The wing's C-130 aircrews understand their critical role in the fight against terrorism.
"The C-130's mission in the Global War on Terrorism is huge", said Capt. Thomas Knaust, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "We have a wide range of missions. We move servicemembers and equipment throughout the theater; [C-130 aircrews] have even dropped leaflets and food in Afghanistan - we see a little bit of everything."

"I don't see how we could [continue GWOT] without the C-130," said Captain Knaust, who recently flew his 100th combat sortie. "We're bringing the fight to the enemy."
Airman 1st Class Zachary Kelhi, a C-130 loadmaster on the captain's crew, agrees that the 'Herc' is a highly capable aircraft making huge contributions to GWOT.

"The C-130 is a versatile aircraft that can transport cargo and passengers to places where other [aircraft] can't," said Airman Kelhi, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "I have been on almost 80 combat airlift missions ... one of my more significant missions was a leaflet drop in Iraq aimed to help the locals understand that we are here [in the AOR] to help."

Deployed as aircrew on the 'Herc' brings the Airman pride, because he understands his role in the war.

"It makes me proud being out here doing my job on the C-130," said Airman Kelhi. "I know there are a lot of people who are really affected by what we do, so it's a good feeling. It's pretty amazing that we made it to a million sorties. We are here to keep it going as long as we need to."