Mission Support Group deploys more than 700 Airman in 2008

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tammy Cario
  • 911 AW/PA
PITTSBURGH AIR RESERVE STATION --  With six squadrons, five functional units, two contractors, one flight and a partridge in a pear tree, the 911th Airlift Wing Mission Support Group is home to more than 700 people, which is half of the overall base population.

 Because there are so many different squadrons and functional units, the positions within the MSG vary greatly. One job might be sitting at a desk processing paperwork for a wing member while another might be fixing a burned out light bulb in the hallway. Whatever the job, these squadrons and functional units all have one thing in common: their mission is to help keep the day-to-day work of the base running smoothly. 

When the 911th MSG deployed 83 of its Airmen in 2008, the locations were as varied as the jobs they perform: Kuwait, Iraq, South Korea and Germany, to name a few, along with several stateside locations. The Airmen deployed from the 911th MSG had the same mission overseas as they did stateside. 

For instance, Senior Master Sgt. Ronald McCausland, operations manager with the 911th AW Civil Engineering Squadron, deployed with 13 other members of the CES to Kirkuk, Iraq, for 120 days beginning in May 2008. 

"My main duties were in the operations section of CE managing service calls, work orders, projects and digging requests for the base to include the Air Force, Army, various contractors and the Iraqi Air Force," Senior Master Sgt. McCausland said. He also helped to build a demonstration water filter for the local Iraqi villages. "My goal was to make this process as quick and accurate as possible. This deployment gave me great satisfaction about being able to help the cause." 

Another MSG Airmen to deploy in 2008 was Senior Airman Aazita Afshari. An information manager with the 911th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Senior Airman Afshari deployed to Ali Al Salem, Kuwait, for 120 days. Her job was mail control activity, where she drove an hour every day to work at the Kuwaiti City International Airport sorting mail pallets that came in and out of the Middle East. 

"The people I worked with were great," said Senior Airman Afshari. "We worked hard and we had fun."
As with any new job and new location, she had to learn to adjust to the situation. With the temperatures soaring to the triple digits, Senior Airman Afshari experienced firsthand how important hydration is, especially in the desert. "You had to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated," she said. "I made the mistake of saying, 'No, I don't need this.' I had a headache for a week straight." 

Master Sgt. Dale Canofari, a superintendent with the 911th Airlift Wing Security Forces Squadron who deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, for six months, started out with cooler temperatures. 

"When we got there in January, it was cold. It snowed a few times," said Master Sgt. Canofari. "Within a month, it warmed up quickly."
Master Sgt. Canofari deployed with 27 other Airmen from the 911th SFS. "Being deployed helps you see the big picture and you realize that every bit counts," he said.
Senior Airman Matthew Eichenfels, a personnel specialist with the 911th Airlift Wing Mission Support Flight deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, learned something about the big picture as well. Working on a Personnel Support for Contingency Operations (PERSCO) team, they were responsible for the accountability of over 5,000 Airmen deployed to Balad and numerous forward operating bases. 

"As Reservists, our main function is to train and ready ourselves for combat operations," said Senior Airman Eichenfels. "I had the opportunity to deploy and use the tools the Air Force Reserve gave me in an environment where my expertise was vital. It was an incredible experience."