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C-130J Super Hercules Airmen move the mission night, day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • USAFCENT PA Combat Camera Team
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  It's 8:30 p.m., Jan. 6 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, and for most Airmen it's the end of a long day supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. For the night-shift Airmen at the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron it's go time for a routine channel.

A routine channel consists of a twelve-hour shift with almost five hours of flight time, six takeoffs and six landings, delivering passengers and cargo to various locations throughout Afghanistan.

"This is a pretty routine mission for our Airmen," said Capt. Dave Paland, 772nd EAS C-130J aircraft commander deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., he is drinking his first of many cups of coffee. "We move anything at anytime. Missions like these are fun because no two flights are the same and when you're finished job satisfaction is pretty good."

Since March of 2009 the 'Desert Foxes' have deployed operations and maintenance Airmen in the Afghanistan theater to support the only active-duty unit flying the C-130J Super Hercules in combat operations.

"Like our motto says, 'If you care enough, send the best' we pride ourselves on proving it daily," said Maj. Daryl Smith, 772nd EAS night shift assistant director of operations. "Our aircrews and maintenance Airmen have been asked to do more every day. Since July our passengers and cargo have increased by more than 50 percent and our sorties are up 30 percent. And we've continued to succeed in our mission."

As of Jan. 5, since their arrival almost 10 months ago 772nd Airmen have delivered 13,991 tons of cargo; hauled 54,034 passengers; flown 5,557 hours; airlifted 255 patients; airdropped 1,167 tons of fuel, food, ammunition and water; and conducted an emergency resupply.

"We are at the tip of the spear," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Pierce, a 772nd EAS loadmaster from Texarkana, Texas. "Our combat airlift operations are an unmatched asset to OEF. We are in the fight daily and we get to see an immediate impact on our efforts every time we take off and land. What or whoever we pick up or drop off is needed by somebody to do their job and we always deliver."

As the crew lifted off to make good on their deliveries for this mission, their first stop was Bagram Airfield where they dropped off passengers and cargo. After the passengers and cargo exited the plan, crews loaded more cargo and passengers, including a critical-care air transport team heading back to Kandahar.

"We just completed a tough mission," said Lt. Col. Chris Ryan, 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight physician. "It's good to see the C-130s. That 'Rock' on the side means a ride back to base and some good sleep in the jump seats."

Next it was back to Kandahar where an Army Captain boarded the aircraft - his final destination was Jalalabad, Afghanistan, but he was very familiar with the C-130H. The J model is more powerful than the previous versions and requires only four crewmembers instead of six, but the results are still the same... reliability.

"This is a great airframe. I have flown on it hundreds of times," said Army Capt. Robert Schoenenberger, 4th Infantry Division physicians' assistant with 24-years of active-duty experience. "It is a very handy aircraft. I have walked off this aircraft in some pretty austere locations and it has flown me home from those same locations. So I always enjoy the ride."

Finally it was back to Kandahar to pick up 70 Marines from the 30th Battalion, 6th Marine, Headquarters and Service Company bound for Forward Operation Base Bastion, Afghanistan, and beyond.

"Hey at least we get a ride to the fight and it's better than a convoy," Marine Chief Warrant Officer 2nd Class Clinton P. Myrick said. "I don't know where we'll end up, but nice of the Air Force to help get us there."

It's now 8:30 a.m., Jan. 7 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, for most Airmen it's the start of a long day of supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. For the day Airmen at the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron it's go time for a routine channel. For these Airmen airlift never stops.

"That's it," said Canadian Capt. Ryan Peters, 772nd EAS C-130J pilot, an exchange officer from the 426th Squadron in Calgary, Alberta, while collecting his coffee cups. "I can't wait until next time, it will be a new challenge, this mission is fresh for our team right now (the new team arrived in mid December) but soon it will be all routine."