7th Airlift Squadron prepares to deploy

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Approximately 125 Airmen from McChord's 7th Airlift Squadron are set to leave here this week for a 120-day deployment to the war zone in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 7th AS Airmen deploy as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron operating from various locations throughout Europe, Southwest Asia and the Middle East area of responsibility.

They replace the 8th Airlift Squadron, which is due to return home March 4 or 5.

On Feb. 18, Airmen from the 7th AS gathered in the squadron's auditorium for last minute deployment details as a group. While aircrews are used to fulfilling routine 10-12 day flyaway missions to overseas locations, deploying as a group brings the squadron together, said Lt. Col. J.R. Twiford, 7th AS commander.

"Prior to stepping out the door on the deployment, it is awesome to see everyone in the squadron together," Colonel Twiford said.

Nearly 80 percent of 7th AS Airmen leaving as part of the group have deployed more than once, he said.

While deployed, Airmen will focus on the flying mission first, followed by other goals including fitness and continued education and training, Colonel Twiford said.

"Life gets pretty simple when you deploy," he said. "You have the chance to get really good at the things you do."

And that will include lots of flying.

"Everybody is excited about going," said Senior Airman Sara Arps, 7th AS loadmaster. "This is a good chance for us to do our primary job ... fly on a regular basis."

The 817th EAS, headquartered at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, is responsible for scheduling, planning and executing all C-17 Globemaster III missions into the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Both unit and group deployment managers worked hard over the last three weeks to get everyone in the 7th AS ready to go, said Chet Richwine, 62nd Operations Support Squadron.

"The flying squadron taskings don't come down as early as normal taskings," Mr. Richwine said. "For the last two weeks there have been changes in the taskings every day."

The UDMs will breathe a sigh of relief for a couple days once the 7th AS gets out the door, Mr. Richwine said, but then get ready to start the process again for the 10th AS.