Partnership extends beyond the battlefield

Published Feb. 23, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Building partnerships, one of the Air Force's 12 core functions, refers to the importance of servicemembers working hand-and-hand with its allies to build a lasting relationship. Often BP is enhanced through joint exercises, where allied countries learn how each other's service operates and how they can work together.

But one community within the Air Force is building BP relationships in the sandy foothills of Afghanistan as part Operation Enduring Freedom and future contingency operations.

Recently, members of the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here hosted Soldiers from the Republic of Korea Army for an exchange of information.

In the Pedros' small conference room, more than 30 officers and enlisted members of the ROK Army gathered for briefings on how 83rd EQRS crews and pararescuemen operate and what kind of equipment they use to perform their one-of-a-kind mission.

"Obviously, it was very condensed because of time; there was a lot more we would like to show them, such as what parachutes we use, but communication like this opens the door to further opportunities. This was a great opportunity for them to see what we are capable of," said Tech. Sgt. Angel Santana, 83rd EQRS PJ deployed from the 212th Rescue Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Ala. "(While) they don't currently have PJs but it doesn't matter, it is all about the team."

Although the ROK Army does not currently have a formal rescue squadron like the 83rd EQRS, both share similarities. For instance, they both fly versions of the Sikorsky S-70, and both have a responsibility as rotary units in the Afghanistan to perform battlefield recoveries if called upon.

"Today the Koreans and the Americans engaged to share ideas about helicopter operations in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Steve Gregg, 83rd ERQS Commander. "It was a spectacular day, the Koreans were excited, and our officers learned how to communicate and share ideas with our allies -- every time we engage with our allies it is a two-way street."

Hopes are high within the Korean Army of one day manning their own squadron similar to the Pedros, but until then communication like this enhances their interoperability.

"I briefed them on the general overview on the U.S. Air Force HH-60 and personnel recovery," said Capt. Marisa Catlin, 83rd ERQS Pedros flight lead. "I hope that our brief brings up questions in their mind if they are caught in a situation that they need our assistance, like is it safe for a rescue mission to land there and what is the condition of the survivor because it helps us determine how we are going to recover a survivor."

Toward the end of the meeting, the two parties got a chance to talk about future plans to move maintenance to nearby buildings.

"We showed them our maintenance capability; our test equipment, parts (and) supplies; and how we keep accountability of those supplies. (This) is really important because they often come by and need parts or check out tools which they don't have," said Maj. Taona Enriquez, 56th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit OIC who is deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom. "If they need help, we help each other ... we have a really good relationship."

The servicemembers from these two nations represent how BP enables both current and possible future operations.

"Is BP and the relationship within the rotary wing community working? Absolutely," said Major Enriquez. "We, in turn, have been able to assist the Koreans by providing consumable items from our support section and technical assistance. It's the airframe -- the helicopter that ties us all together."

The relationships forged are often the most important outcome from exchanges of information such as this. These partnerships extend far beyond six months, a year or even the current conflict, according to the major. Some of these relationships will help shape the world of tomorrow.

"The mere presence of the Koreans in this coalition is huge," said Major Enriquez. "Their support alone is bigger than any gun they could put on the battlefield or any amount of hours they could fly. As we progress through the years and toward the draw-down of Operation Enduring Freedom, the ties we form diplomatically by working together, bind us. We have to build partnerships with the people and with our allies (otherwise) we would fail without them."