Flying Jennies to Return from Record-Setting Deployment

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Michael Duhe
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  Reservists from the 815 Airlift Squadron "Flying Jennies" will soon return from a deployment to Southwest Asia, having set at least one world record for airdrop and earning accolades for their efforts and achievements.

Flying the C-130J-30 model aircraft, deployed 815th aircrews from the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., set a record for the maximum number of airdrop bundles delivered in a one-week period: 801 bundles in 24 missions. United States Central Command, which oversees combat operations in the area, verified this as a record.

The Flying Jennies airdropped a range of vital cargo, including ammunition, medical supplies and food and water to troops on the ground. Thanks to the generosity of the members of the 403rd Wing, the Flying Jennies also helped ease the hardship of troops away from their loved ones during the holiday season. The aircrews delivered more than 150 boxes of "care packages" full of comfort items that had been collected at Keesler just weeks before.

"These guys (who received the packages) are manning outposts in no-man's land," explained Colonel Don Buckley, 815th AS director of operations. "There's no way to get things in except by helicopter or C-130 airdrop. It's extremely rugged terrain. We airdropped care packages and bundles to them because they needed it most."

The Flying Jennies moved nearly 5,000 tons of cargo while deployed, eclipsing other C-130 units flying an older version of the aircraft by 35 percent. Colonel Buckley attributed this in part to the two extra pallet positions available on the J-model that allows for extra cargo.

Last September, several hundred Citizen Airmen from the 815th and several C-130J-30 model aircraft deployed to support CENTCOM airlift requirements in the region. During normal operations, all but one of the aircraft were used to fly missions, with the reserve aircraft on standby for emergencies. Utilizing it in a non-emergency situation is known as "surging." During the deployment, the Flying Jennies "surged" 15 times, which contributed to some impressive numbers for the deployment: 358 missions and 1,233 sorties flown. Aircrews logged nearly 2,500 hours of flying in 120 days. Normally, at home station, the aircrews log 2,400 hours in 12 months.

The vast majority of cargo airdropped by the Jennies arrived on target and intact, according to Colonel Buckley. "We were averaging within 25 yards at 3,000 feet. We proved how accurate we are, and we had a 98.5 percent recoverable and reusable rate."

The Flying Jennies also flew more than 20,000 passengers and 500 aeromedical evacuation passengers during the deployment. The J-model's powerful engines allow it to fly at high altitudes, where the air is less turbulent, meaning a smoother ride for passengers, Colonel Buckley said.

Some of the missions involved landing on dirt strips in austere locations. At least one mission required escort by two F-15s because of the threat of Taliban armed with anti-aircraft weapons. The Flying Jenny aircrew successfully airdropped its load while under enemy fire. Other missions involved dropping psychological operations leaflets.

"Our whole attitude here was, 'How much more can we do for you? We have this great airplane that needs to be utilized,'" Colonel Buckley commented.

While the J-model again proved its superiority as an airlifter, Colonel Buckley emphasized that is was the Airmen of the 815th who made the deployment a success. He noted that more than 100 medals will be awarded for their achievements to squadron members, who battled extreme weather, long days and logistical challenges.

"The operational squadron could not have been this effective if it weren't for the maintainers," said Colonel Buckley.  "I owe all the credit to them."