Steel City Airmen complete successful deployment

  • Published
  • By Capt. Shawn M. Walleck
  • 911th Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  Over a two-day span, the 911th Airlift Wing safely returned 108 of its Steel City Airmen warrior force, capping off an award winning four-month long deployment to Southwest Asia. The Wing's personnel and two unit equipped C-130s Operations and Maintenance Air Expeditionary Force support package, directly supported Operation Enduring Freedom, delivering critical supplies, equipment, and U.S. and coalition forces within the U. S. Central Command's area of operations.

Unit members from numerous military occupational specialties to include; pilots, navigators, flight engineers, loadmasters, intelligence, aviation resource management, communications and maintenance personnel all deployed supporting the Total Force Initiative, which shares resources between active duty, and active reserve forces.

Within the last five years alone the 911th Airlift Wing's Steel City Airmen have deployed to over 80 locations throughout the world providing critical support within each of the seven geographical Combatant Commands (COCOMS). When multiplied by the number of days encompassing each member's deployment the men and women of the 911th provided 337,151 days of support to the warfighter. With the return of this AEF package, the 911th still will have over 50 members deployed globally in support of our national security objectives.

"This week ended in a gratifying way for us here at the 911th, as we welcomed the safe return of all our Airmen who participated in the AEF support package. While deployed, our Airmen have missed birthdays, anniversaries, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Our Airmen and their families have made great sacrifices over the last four months. Their focus now is to enjoy some time off and catch up on the last four months with family and friends," said Col. Craig C. Peters, 911th Airlift Wing commander.

Once members touched down in Southwest Asia, unit members immediately provided critical tactical airlift to the Arabian Gulf, Africa, and Afghanistan. Over the course of the four-month deployment the squadron flew more than 800 sorties, flying more than 2,000 combat hours and moving approximately 6,000 passengers, 3,000 short tons of cargo, 300 patients, and 129 distinguished visitors. Equally impressive, the operations, maintenance, and support team achieved a 98 percent mission effectiveness rate and a 100 percent mission completion rate.

Obtaining these staggering numbers isn't possible without tremendous technical expertise on the ground. The 911th aircraft maintainers are widely known for their benchmark cost saving, quick-turn isochronal inspection program, which has saved the Air Force $72.6 million over the last five years, or the equivalent of adding 2.8 years of flying time back to the warfighter. While deployed 911th maintainers earned their deployed command's highest awards two of the four months while overseas, adding greater validity and credibility to their current outstanding reputation.

"Setting high standards and achieving them is no stranger to the dedicated Citizen Airmen of the 911th. Whether it's supporting more Joint Airborne/Air Transportability Training (JA/AAT) missions over the past five years than any other base, or developing and maintaining the most cost efficient aircraft inspection process in the command, our members consistently deliver results," said Peters.

Achieving mission success overseas first begins at home station. Under today's operational reserve construct, unit members organize, train, and equip so when called upon they can seamlessly integrate with their active counterparts. From passports to pay, it takes a team effort on behalf of the Mission Support Group, Aeromedical Staging Squadron and other Wing assets to build the path toward delivering needed support to the warfighter.

The 911th's strategic location collocated with Pittsburgh's International Airport, provides the 24/7 support needed to complete required training locally. This joint use agreement with the Airport plays a large part in the unit's success and low operating costs. Additionally, the unit's encroachment free access to low level navigation routes and two large drop-zones enables 911th aircrews the ability to conduct vital combat readiness training at a fraction of the cost of most other units. In total, the cooperative partnership the 911th enjoys with the airport and local community results in a synergetic relationship which produces valued capability to our nation either for overseas or homeland defense missions.

"The conclusion of a successful deployment is a culmination of many events all successfully coming together. I'm proud of all our Citizen Airmen both at home and deployed who make the difficult look easy. I'm especially grateful to our Key Spouse Program Volunteers who provided valuable support to our deployed member's families and continue to provide an unprecedented level of support. In the end our unit members should feel great pride in a job well done," Peters concluded.