22nd EARS breaking records

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Squadron Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  Just over halfway into 2011 Airmen with the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron here have already shattered more than a dozen records.

These Airmen once again proved they have what it takes to raise the standard and set the bar high; they flew 493 sorties in July, breaking the Transit Center's prior record of 473, which was only a month old.

"I am privileged to fly with (these Airmen)," said Col. Brian Newberry, 376th Expeditionary Operations Group commander. "We each have a small part in achieving success in the air and on the ground, but together we are moving mountains. I arrived a month ago and regrettably at that time, 1,546 servicemen and women had lost their lives in the Afghanistan area of responsibility since combat operations started in 2001. Today the number has risen to 1,575 personnel, but I hesitate to think how many it would be without our Airmen 'fueling the fight' each and every day. I am proud of their patriotism and dedication to service before to self."

The 22nd EARS aircrews fly missions around the clock in the KC-135 Stratotankers assigned here.

"All of our missions are over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom," said Lt. Col. Pete Tschohl, 22nd EARS commander. "We refuel fighter jets whether they are F-15s, F-16s, A-10s, several different types of Navy and coalition aircraft, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft; just about everything that flies over Afghanistan, we refuel."

The KC-135 Stratotanker has been used to fuel the mission for more than 50 years.

"The fact our operations tempo remains full throttle indicates we remain fully engaged supporting surge operations in Afghanistan," Newberry said. "Joint and coalition forces are making a difference and the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is part of that winning force. Daily we pass nearly 1 million pounds of gas to coalition aircraft and that allows the coalition to project decisive air power 24/7, 365 days a year. The Transit Center has not taken its foot off the gas and we will continue the high operations tempo as long as our partners demand. I fully expect further records to fall in the next few months."

The aircrews breaking records are primarily deployed here from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

"We have a fairly young force, but they are very motivated, sharp troops (who are) very eager to learn, perform and serve their country," Tschohl said.

Despite being young, this not the first time at the Transit Center for many of the Airmen deployed to the 22nd EARS here.

"In my tour I have seen them return home and come back a month later," Tschohl said. "I will probably see them again on future tours (before I redeploy)."

Aircrew assigned to tanker units are not on a standard air expeditionary force rotation schedule, they make up an enabler force.

"Their average rotation is currently about 77 days, but many crewmembers go home for a month or two and then come back," Tschohl said. "Many come for two or three rotations a year."

This level of dedication is a significant factor to the unit's record breaking summer; however, being able to provide this level of refueling support is not something the 22nd EARS Airmen can do without the support of the entire Transit Center.

"It is definitely a team effort," said Tschohl, who is deployed here from McConnell AFB, Kan. "If it was not for the maintainers working on the jets keeping them up to speed; the logistical folks; petroleum, oils and lubricants; the medical folks keeping our troops healthy; the DFAC keeping our folks fed; supply keeping them equipped; life support; airfield operations and the operations group this would not happen. We are all one big team."

This is a fact with which the operations group commander completely agrees.

"More records will fall, but not because we are seeking to stay busy, but rather because operations on the ground demand it," said Newberry, who is deployed here from the Air Force District of Washington. "We would not be able to continue at the pace we are without the support of the entire Transit Center team. (Their support) is also nonstop 24/7, 365 days a year."