Twitter
Facebook
Many people think the 76th Airlift Squadron only flies distinguished visitors around Europe and the United States, but that is not always the case. A team of 11 active-duty members and four civilian maintenance contractors recently returned from a 67-day deployment, flying DVs in and around Iraq and Afghanistan in support of overseas contingency operations.
The team deployed with one of Ramstein’s C-20H aircraft and completed 144 sorties within the two-month period with flights throughout Europe and Southwest Asia.
While deployed, the C-20H team maintained 100 percent on-time flights and snatched an impressive 98 percent mission effectiveness rating for the deployment.
“It was great to have the opportunity to support the war effort,” said Capt. Ryan Chmielewski, Central Command DV Flight Detachment deployed operations officer and C-20H evaluator pilot. “It was vitally important for military leaders to have access to locations in and around the AOR and to have oversight at different bases involved in the war effort.”
Among the 507 passengers transported were the secretary of the Navy, the International Security Assistance Force commander, the Combined Forces Land Component commander and multiple congressional delegations. As the C-20 team accomplished their mission, they were faced with challenges.
“We were flying into combat zones with an aircraft designed for civilian purposes,” said Staff Sgt. Nathan Lujan, 76th AS C-20H flight engineer. “Our plane definitely stuck out, and all aircrew members were constantly engaged in flying safely in that environment.”
The aircrew circled above airfields multiple times, waiting for the airfields to reopen after small arms fire had been detected. The crews were always vigilant and helped each other out to ensure mission safety and success.
Another challenge the team faced was utilizing 11 people to operate the equivalent of an entire squadron. Many people had two to four additional duties just to get the job done. The aircraft flew 55 of 62 days, which kept the C-20 team busy with flying and mission planning.
Additionally, the team was one of the only deployed teams that brought contract maintenance personnel to service the aircraft. Four contract maintainers from M7 Aerospace deployed with the crew to ensure the aircraft was in tip-top shape.
Despite the challenges the 76th AS faced during their deployment, the DVs were thoroughly impressed with the service provided.
“We provided a vital service to Department of Defense senior leadership, ensuring they were in the right place at the right time and allowing them to focus on the
mission and help to control operations throughout the theater,” Captain Chmielewski said.
