440th Airlift Wing continues to support world-wide missions

440th AW PAO

May 19, 2011

	Photo by Master Sgt. Kevin Brody/440th AW PAO Tech Sgt. Alexis Wallace, left, an aircrew flight equipment technician with the 440th Airlift Wing Operations Support Squadron, receives a USO care package from Stephanie Collier, a civilian personnel system manager at Pope Field. The care packages consisted of a camouflaged toiletry bag, beef jerky and other snacks for the flight.

In support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, Pope Field’s 440th Airlift Wing’s Operations Group, successfully deployed about 150 personnel last week to various parts of the Middle East and Africa.

The Airmen, once in theater, will team up with air crews from other bases to help sustain the multi-mission role of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

The opportunity to support the expeditionary mission and provide combat air power to the combatant command allows units to come together as a team and gain invaluable experience.

“Supporting the fight is what it is all about,” said Col. John Stokes, 440th Airlift Wing vice commander. “Due to the harsh terrain and high-paced mission tempo, the experience gained while deployed cannot be taught at home station.”

When asked at the deployment briefing, about one-fifth of the deploying Airmen raised their hands to say this would be their first time rotating out.

“For many first-time deployers, going to the area of responsibility will provide them with the most important skill they can possess,” explained Stokes. “They learn to bond with one another and work as a team.”

With the excitement and anticipation that goes along with a deployment, all personnel are required to complete a series of briefings and go through a deployment processing line.
Experienced unit members understand the process comes with the territory and welcome it.

“I am really excited about this mission,” said Maj. Jerry Pinamonti, a pilot with the 95th AS who recently transferred to the unit from active duty. “Flying different types of missions on a day-to-day basis is interesting, and helps to develop our skills.”

For first-time deployers, the process is daunting for some and exhilarating for others.

“I am looking forward to finishing the pre-deployment process,” said Airman 1st Class Harold Blake of the 440th Maintenance Squadron. “It’s a lot busier than I thought.”

Senior Airmen Joel Caesar and Sean Archer, 440th AW Maintenance Squadron, simultaneously made their feelings clear.

“We are excited, motivated and ready to do what we trained for!”

The acting commander for this deployment echoed their sentiments.

“With the relocation to Pope Field, Base Realignment and Closure and the operational readiness inspection behind us, it will be great to concentrate on what we do best — fly,” said Lt. Col. John Gorse, 440th AW Operations Group director .

The 440th Airlift Wing’s integrated crews support world-wide contingency operations and humanitarian missions in various locations around the world and throughout the year. Since its relocation to Pope Field in 2007, the 440th Airlift Wing has fulfilled its expeditionary requirements and continues to recruit, train and retain citizen Airmen who work alongside active-duty crews at Pope Field to continue to provide rapid global mobility support.

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