Air mobility experts conduct air operations orchestra

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chelsea Smith
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The flight of a single aircraft is just one instrument in the orchestra known as air operations. And just as some reservists specialize in playing a particular instrument, such as the KC-10 Extender or the C-17 Globemaster III, some specialize in conducting the overall orchestra.

These conductors plan, schedule and control every sortie from air and space operations centers located in specific geographic regions across the globe.

While the reservists from the 514th Air Mobility Operations Squadron perform their training here, when it comes to the real thing, they typically deploy to the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. From there, they help conduct air mobility operations over a giant landmass encompassing Europe and Africa.

Three of the squadron's air mobility experts just returned here from a tour of duty at the center. They were initially called to duty from their civilian jobs duty with little time to prepare.

"Because the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center is manned solely to support daily operations, augmentation from the Guard and Reserve is necessary in response to any emerging situation," said Maj. Blaine Howell, "Due to on-going contingency operations, the 603rd requested us, and we landed on-site within three days."

That type of readiness is the hallmark of the squadron's Airmen.

"There is a volunteer spirit within the people of the 514th AMOS," said Col. Michael Underkofler, 514th Air Mobility Wing commander. "They essentially have their bags packed, ready to leave, and they are willing to stay until the mission is completed."

The ease with which squadron's Airmen are able to plug into the 603rd AOC's air mobility positions within the center is due to their training, which combines home-station planning exercises with regular visits to the center.

"We acquire on-the-job training across multiple positions that enables maximum flexibility and interoperability," said Lt. Col. Andrew Solleder, a senior controller. "The close cooperation we enjoy between our squadron and the 603rd means we can provide Airmen who are fully trained and ready to execute the mission at a moment's notice."

This swinging door allows the reservists to shift gears from the training environment to the real mission environment very rapidly, Howell said.

And they're just as quick to shift gears to an off-duty mindset when appropriate. Frequent tours to Germany come with perks, as the Airmen have learned to balance work with play.

They said they enjoy visiting many of the country's attractions and the ever-present eateries that serve Turkish Kebabs, which are pita bread sandwiches stuffed with slow-cooked sliced chicken, vegetables and Turkish dressings.

Overall the relationship between the squadron's Airmen and the operations center appears to be a win-win. The Airmen are able to perform important work in a favorable destination, and the operations center receives well-trained augmentation from ever-ready reservists.

Other winners of this relationship are the Airmen's colleagues at the wing who work in other areas of the air mobility trade

"One of the fundamental mantras of the military is to pass on lessons learned," said Underkofler. "I anticipate that our Airmen will come back and tell their squadron commander or operations officer about procedural changes, technological advances and new systems training as well as the fun things to do while they are off duty, because that's an important part of the experience as well."