New cargo mission increases operations on Incirlik flightline

Jul 26, 2005
By Air Force Senior Airman Stephanie Hammer 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — Air Force Senior Airman Jesse Killen, 728th Air Mobility Squadron air transportation journeyman, inspects signature service cargo here July 14. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bradley Lail)

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — The first C-17 Globemaster III carrying cargo to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom arrived and departed here June 1.

With the new cargo hub operating out of Incirlik, the people on the flightline are seeing a lot more action.

"Before, it was kind of quiet," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Daniel McLaughlin, 728th Air Mobility Squadron maintenance superintendent. "We would handle a couple of airplanes here and there, but now we're busy the whole time."

Previously, cargo moved to Iraq from Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. From Germany, one C-17 could only make one mission into Iraq a day. From Incirlik, that same C-17 now has the capability to make two missions into Iraq every day. By moving operations to Incirlik, not only has the number of cargo missions a C-17 can fly into Iraq a day doubled, but there is no longer a need to refuel the airplane while downrange. Less fuel used downrange equals less convoys needed to bring fuel into Iraq.

"Less convoys on the ground [in Iraq] is a good thing," said Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Kulas, 728th AMS commander. "It means we are indirectly saving lives."

In order to keep up with operations, Incirlik integrates augmentees into their daily routines. Almost 200 people are here to help support the cargo hub mission.

"We depend a great deal on our augmentees," said Air Force Master Sgt. Dwight Tucker, 728th AMS aircraft services superintendent. "They come in and support us with a positive attitude. They are a tremendous asset, and we couldn't do this without them."

Helping the augmentees transition smoothly in and out of operations here is an initiative called Combat Flightline. The purpose of the program is to increased attention on performance standards.

"It's about the presence of professionalism," McLaughlin said. "It's like if you go to [a restaurant] — if the place looks good, orderly and clean, you'll eat there; if it doesn't, you'll go across the street to [another restaurant].

"Combat Flightline is aimed at bringing that pride back," he continued. "And the concept filters into the base — it's about bringing public pride back into the Air Force."

Even though flightline operations have increased 400%, Tucker said, Incirlik is keeping up with the increased demands while keeping the end goal in mind.

"We're taking stuff to the warfighter and helping save lives, which is what's important," said Air Force Maj. Robert Moore, 728th AMS maintenance operations officer. "It's hard not to have fun when you know what you're doing is making a difference."