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.

Rock members get tour of Quarry

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, also known as The Rock, invited Airmen throughout the wing to check out the Quarry, or the flightline, side of operations during the Quarry Open House Feb. 2 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

More than 20 Airmen from different support functions throughout the wing took the chance to see the Quarry and all the moving parts needed to make the flying mission happen daily.

Col. Scott Brewer, 386th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, and Col. Ricky Thompson, 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander, welcomed the members and explained the purpose of the event.

"If you were born after 1974, you are younger than the aircraft we are flying out of here every day," said Col. Thompson. "That's a testament to the hard work the men and women do out here every day. Today, we get a chance to show you what we do each day and we get to thank you for what you do."

Visitors to the flightline were given briefings explaining the capabilities of the aircraft on the ramp as well as the other moving parts, from maintenance to aerial port that make the mission happen.

"I was impressed to see how many different teams that are involved with process," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Gauthier, 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron cyber transport technician. "I didn't know it involved this many teams to get one plane off the ground and fly a mission. It's impressive to see it happen."

After the briefings, members were taken to the flightline to see the mission in action. They were treated to a Fly Away Security Team demonstration, aerial port demonstration and were able to get inside a C-130H Hercules. Open house members were also able to ask questions to C-130 crew members, security forces members, maintainers and aerial port members after the demonstrations.

"I had never been inside one before and it was really big," said Airman Gauthier. "I had no idea how much cargo you could fit into each of these aircraft. It was pretty impressive."

The Airmen who work on the Quarry enjoyed telling other Airmen about their jobs as well.
"We wanted to be out here to show folks what we do," said Staff Sgt. Gary Starita, 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron aerial porter. "We are the people who move the cargo on and off the planes. We are a big part of the mission. You can't get there without a port dog."

Master Sgt. John Zahn, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron load superintendent, and the organizer of the day's event, wanted open house participants to see how what they do helps all the Airmen on the Quarry accomplish their mission.

"We put this event on to show appreciation to the entire base and to thank everyone for the support they give us," said Sergeant Zahn. "This event also gives us a chance to stomp our foot on the ground and show everyone all the hard work that we have been doing on a day-to-day basis. This operation exists because of everybody. No C-130 could do the mission without the help of the entire base."