Total-force unit returns from record-breaking deployment

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  • By 451st Air Expeditionary and 403rd Wing Public Affairs
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  After four months in Afghanistan, a total-force C-130J unit returned to Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., May 19 carrying a group of individuals who didn't just accomplish a mission; they set the new standard.

Between January and May, the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, the name of the deployed unit at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, successfully completed 261 airdrops setting records in three of those months.

The 772nd EAS was comprised of members from 41st Airlift Squadron from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., and from the 403rd Wing here, including those from the 815th and 345th Airlift Squadrons and the 403rd Maintenance Group.

"They're told to put planes in the air, that's what they do," said Capt. William McLeod, Officer in Charge of the 451st Expeditionary Airlift Maintenance and 403rd Maintenance Squadrons. He described the deployed team members as being very humble about the records they've broken.

"It feels good knowing we're supplying the troops on the ground and allowing them to perform their missions more effectively with these much-needed supplies," said Tech. Sgt. David Pirie, 772nd EAS and 815th AS loadmaster. "It's also great knowing we're contributing to the warfighting effort."

Dropping cargo from the air means fewer supply trucks make the dangerous drives through roads littered with improvised explosive devices.

"It means something," Captain McLeod said. "We could be saving somebody's life, and everything gets there faster."

The previous record for airdrops set was 40 airdrop missions in one month. They exceeded this in January with 51, in March with 71 and April with 81, airdropping a total of 5.6 million pounds of cargo. Bad weather in February kept the unit from breaking the record, according to Lt. Col. Craig Williams, 772nd EAS and 345th AS commander.

"It feels good to be setting records, but what you'll find with most of the guys here is that it doesn't matter if you break a record, it matters that you complete the mission and get the supplies where they need to go so we can help those guys on the ground," said Lt. Col. Walt Ord, 772nd EAS and 815th AS aircraft commander. Colonel Ord was the leader of the crew that completed the initial record-breaking 41st airdrop in January.

Airdrop missions take about four to five hours each of advance planning by the tactics team to ensure no conflictions with other missions in execution. Then once the cargo is bundled and ready for flight, the loadmasters load the bundles, joint airdrop inspectors ensure the load is rigged properly and the aircraft is ready for airdrop. The crew then flies to one of many drop zones where the back of the aircraft is opened up for the bundles to be released at a different altitude depending on location. The bundles are then released and float down to earth with assistance from attached parachutes.

In August 2010, the 345th AS active-duty component and the 815th AS comprised of Reservists, joined together to make up the Air Force's first C-130J total force integrated unit. The active associate unit began training for this mission by sharing aircraft and working together to both fly and maintain the C-130Js. This initiative leveraged the combined resources of the Reserves and active-duty force.

"Everyone is the same and we all come together in a seamless operation to keep the guys outside the wire safer," said Colonel Williams. "Where we can fly to in one hour could be a three-day trip through the mountains that subjects those drivers to indirect fire, improvised explosive devices and other hazards ... we're literally saving lives every day."

"It was an honor to have served as the commander of the 772nd EAS in combat during one of the most prolific times in tactical airlift," said Colonel Williams.  "There is no better place to be right now if you are C-130 operator who loves airdrop and landing in the dirt."

Editor's note:  Capt. Penny Carroll, Tech. Sgt. Emily F. Alley, Tech Sgt. Tanya King and Senior Airman Melissa B. White contributed to this report.