Expeditionary wing operates with ‘one-team, one-fight’ mentality

Published July 8, 2007
By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
379th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines work together at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing increasing mission effectiveness while learning from what other services bring to the fight.

Thousands of people rotate in and out of the wing and among them are representatives from each branch of military service and each bringing with them something unique.

One Sailor described what it's like to work with the "one-team, one-fight" mentality.

"Exposure is the best part about being around the other services," said Navy Lieutenant Commander Dustin Pierson, Commander Task Force 124 detachment forward officer in charge, based out of Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. "It gives you insight as to how the other services operate - we can learn a lot from each other."

He went on to discuss how his unit, which is in charge of flying TACAMO airborne tactical relay missions, is not accustomed to operating in an expeditionary role. His Sailors are benefiting from deploying to support operations in Southwest Asia and are gaining valuable experience while here.

Marine Maj. Dan Burton, VMR detachment forward operations officer and UC-35 pilot agrees that it's advantageous to work alongside other services.

"Being together in one location allows us to share the same assets and resources in order to accomplish the mission," said the major based out of Marine Corps Air Station Mirimar, Calif.

The UC-35 squadron provides airlift for high priority cargo and personnel such as distinguished visitors and classified documents and they see the benefit in joint operations.

The major gave one example about how Airmen are currently assisting in the logistics of an engine change, which will get their UC-35 back up and operational in a timely manner.

Adding to Major Burton and Lieutenant Commander Pierson's observations on joint operations here, was Army Capt. Paily Eapen, 3-43 ADA BN assistant operations officer who believes it is imperative to trust in your sister services in order to effectively accomplish the mission.

"Without our joint partners, we are unable to execute our mission of Theater Air and Missile Defense effectively," said the captain who is based out of Fort Bliss, Texas and in charge of coordinating operations and overseeing the Tactical Operations Center.
"We depend on our joint partners for airspace management and they depend on us to conduct our active defense mission."

He sees being deployed with all branches of the service as a good learning experience.

"Every war fighter can benefit from such a large knowledge base and being able to witness other services' contributions to the ongoing operations," Captain Eapen said.

One Airman who touches base with every service on a daily basis is Master Sgt. Art Small, 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron tower chief controller who is responsible for managing one of the most complex air traffic control towers in the combat theater. If it comes in contact with the wing's airfield, Sergeant Small is involved, he said.

"All the services do things a little differently, so I see it as an educational experience," said Sergeant Small who's based out of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. "Working as one team allows us the opportunity to learn from as well as share information."

Whether it's Marines flying high-value cargo and personnel in UC-35s, Sailors flying tactical air relay missions in a TACAMO, Soldiers coordinating operations at a Patriot Battalion or an Airman overseeing an air traffic control tower - each service is here to accomplish the mission of fighting and winning the Global War on Terrorism.