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Manas AB surpasses transient record

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jerome Baysmore
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AB, Kyrgyzstan --  March marked a transient record for the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, but not without the combined efforts from base support agencies here.

The team moved more than 10,000 passengers last month to forward deployed locations in Afghanistan or redeploying forces headed home. The one-day passenger record was 1,622 surpassed the previous record from 2005.

"It wasn't difficult at all--it was a streamlined process fueled by great teamwork," said Tech. Sgt. Curtis Kervin, Personnel Support for Contingency Operations. "Not only do we work well together here, we have a great working relationship with (376th) Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Services and Security Forces Squadrons. As well as the Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center, Joint Movement Control Center and the Army Liaison Officers, who all play a significant part in our mission here.

"I think we all realize the importance of a smooth transition for every person that sets foot into the Area of Responsibility; after all, Manas Air Base may be their first or last stop."

Civil Engineers worked through the winter to expand the base annex infrastructure in the Temporary Cantonment Area. Despite subzero temperatures, the CE team was able to raise an additional API structure in time for the big turnover.

More capacity meant more variables to track, but Services personnel improved the lodging process.

"The troop rotations fluctuated, and we had to pay close attention to detail," said Staff Sgt. Natika Adams, 376th ESVS Lodging NCOIC. "Our schedules were extremely busy between briefings, beddown of personnel and keeping accountability of more than 1,700 bed spaces."

Staff Sgt. Hector Jimenez, 376th ELRS Records and Reports custodian for the Aerial Port said although they've moved the increased number of cargo and passengers, they've done so without any safety incidents.

"We started moving the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit March 6," he said. "Since that day, we have worked more than 117 missions and 4,353 short tons of cargo--including 17 helicopters--all without a single (ELRS) safety incident or mission delay.

"That's a 500 percent increase in cargo from when we first got here in January," he added. "The aerial port as a whole has definitely met this massive surge head on and continues to do their part in support of Operation Enduring Freedom."

Sergeant Adams said she attributes Manas AB mission success to customer service.

"Customer service played a huge part in accomplishing the mission, and we've accommodated over 17,000 Airmen, Soldiers and Marines," she said.

Sergeant Kervin agreed and added that total teamwork made it happen.

"The schedule was tight and the only part of the "hurry up and wait" game we were playing was the hurry up," he said. "There was a point when our nightshift barely had time to enjoy a (Meal-Ready- to-Eat) from the dining facility."

"With just over 300 chairs in our briefing tent, it seemed we were filled to capacity again and again. Yet we still managed to make a quick recovery after each brief in preparation for the next arriving flight."