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Guard unit pounds desert dust

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq --  They traded in their suits and police uniforms and the cool mist of Niagara Falls for Air Force cammo and the desert dust of Baghdad. They knew about the desert. They'd heard about the heat and the sand. They'd trained and prepared for four months in Iraq protecting America. For some, it's not the first time.

As members of the 107th Air Refueling Wing, New York Air National Guard, stepped of the plane in Baghdad, cold drizzle covered their faces, forcing them to squint to see the air base around them. They felt the thick mud move under their feet and the gravel stick to the bottom of their boots and thought, "This is the desert?"

During their first week at Sather Air Base, it snowed. Some joked they brought it with them.

Despite never anticipating the chill in the air and the mud, Airmen of the 107th ARW are making an impact on the Sather AB mission of moving the most people in Iraq and the second largest amount of cargo. The 107th ARW arrived here with 150 members covering 15 different job specialties.

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, recently said "You can't look at an Airman and tell if he or she is active, Guard or Reserve. We all wear the same uniform, do the same jobs and help make this Air Force the best in the world."

No where is that more appropriate than here.

"The 107th's contribution to Sather is huge," said Capt. Bryan Dalporto, the 447th AEG executive officer and deployed 107th ARW member. "We account for more than one-third the total force here. We've got a lot of folks doing a lot of important jobs."

While some members of the unit dig trenches for essential utilities, others have valuable command, control and administration positions.

"The 107th assumed many of the key leadership positions in the 447th Air Expeditionary Group and executed a flawless transition from the last AEF team," said Col. Fred Cheney, 447th AEG commander. "The Niagara Falls team integrated seamlessly with their active duty Air Force, joint service and coalition partners."

Many of those 107th ARW team members play a vital role in the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. According to Captain Dalporto, at least 90 percent of the 447th ECES is comprised of 107th ARW Guardsmen.

"Sather is the stepping off point for many units in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Patrick Roemer, 447th ECES commander and full-time base civil engineer for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base when not performing the same role in the Guard. "The 107th guys are instrumental in maintaining the base, and it's very important that Sather stays functional."

The 107th ARW is no stranger to Southwest Asia. The unit has been deployed more than a dozen times since Sept. 11, 2001, and many of the unit's members who are currently deployed are on their fourth or fifth deployment to the area.

"Since 9/11, the Total Force Concept has really come into play," said Chief Master Sgt. Richard King, 447th Air Expeditionary Group superintendent, and 107th ARW command chief. "Within 24 hours of the Sept. 11 [2001] attacks, we were mobilized."

"After the attacks, I called the chief and asked 'When do you want me and where,'" said Master Sgt. Bruce Marshall, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 447th ECES electrical shop, deployed from the 107th ARW.

Members of the 107th ARW are aware of how important their role is here.

"It seems the Air Force has found out that we are a reliable and capable force," added Chief King. "Between us, our active duty and Reserve brothers, the Air Force is one awesome force, and no one can touch us."

Activating and deploying as a Guardsman has its challenges, though. For many, it means leaving their "regular" jobs.

"Traditional Guard members leave full-time employment in the civilian sector and have to adjust back to a military frame of mind," said Chief King. "Since 9/11, we've adapted very well. We're right back in the fight when we get a chance."

Luckily, many Guard members have support from the local community and their employers.

"Our neighbors offer to plow driveways, and our families and employers are very supportive," added Captain Dalporto, who also protects the public as a Niagara Falls policeman in the civilian sector. "As much as they think they owe us, we owe them just as much for allowing us to support our country in this way."

Beyond community support, being deployed from the 107th ARW has its benefits.

"We've worked with one another for 10 to 15 years, and most of us have already deployed together a couple of times since 9/11," Chief King commented. "The cohesiveness is already there when we arrive to our deployed location."

In addition to the added camaraderie, the team also endures continuous training to keep them proficient and prepared to deploy. According to Chief King, the unit's training program has increased their ability to perform and enhanced their mission capability.

"We are constantly training and in a constant deployed status," the chief said. "Our training has gained strength due to the Total Force Concept. We train like we deploy; the Guard, Reserve and active duty personnel come together to hone our skills."

Whether training or unit cohesiveness, the 107th ARW members have the right attitude to complete the missions in front of them.

"We're doing all the work we're supposed to do in order to get the job done," said Tech. Sgt. Nick Dodge, a 447th ECES production controller, who performs the same job as a Department of Defense civilian. "I don't think it really matters that we're Guard. You come here and it's like one big family. You put everything to the side and get it done - whatever it takes - that's our motto."

And even though the phone doesn't stop ringing and the jobs don't stop coming, the 447th ECES gets it done every time, according to Sergeant Dodge.

"The team from the 107th Air Refueling Wing hit the road running upon their arrival at Sather Air Base," exclaimed Colonel Cheney. "I have extremely high confidence that they will be key contributors to making this one of the most successful AEF teams in the history of Sather AB!"

"It's inspiring. I'm very proud to see not only the Guard members from Niagara, but all Air Force members come together as a total force," the chief averred. "It makes me proud to serve as a command chief and a member of the Air National Guard."