An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

380AEW Article

Photo story: Team Pittsburgh gives combat lift aboard Pirate ship

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  While their friends and family back home battle record snowfall and cold weather, deployed Reserve Airmen from the 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Pa., support the ground battle in Marjah, Afghanistan and elsewhere by delivering vital assets, ground equipment and personnel - anything and everything needed to support the war.

They perform inter-theater airlift using their C-130H Hercules aircraft in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. The Airmen are attached to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at undisclosed base in Southwest Asia. 

Their Pittsburgh spirit can be seen across the miles as they fly combat missions aboard their Pirate ship throughout Southwest Asia waving a yellow tail-banner with the words Pittsburgh scrawled in black. Their aircraft is hand painted with a Pittsburgh Pirates' mural. Other colorful Pittsburgh memorabilia can be seen inside the aircraft touting the crews affection for their hometown. Team Pittsburgh consists of multiple aircrew, aircraft, as well as numerous maintenance and support personnel.

The 911th Airlift Wing reports to 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. Wing daily activities are managed by civilian federal workers, including air reserve technicians who hold dual positions as civilians and reservists. More than 90 percent of the 911th is made up of Air Force Reserve volunteers from Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The other 10 percent are volunteers from across the United States.

Reservists train one weekend per month at a unit training assembly, and perform 15 days of active duty for training each year. Aircrew members train more often to meet flight qualification standards. The wing flies airlift missions in support of Department of Defense assignments.