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The 76th Airlift Squadron’s C-20H Gulfstream IV returned to Ramstein after a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan Feb. 1.
This deployment was the first of its kind, directly supporting the International Security Assistance Force commander and also marking the first time a C-20H was based in a combat zone.
“Our squadron stood up this deployment from ground zero with only two weeks’ notice to proudly support the war effort in Afghanistan,” said Capt. Erik Carlson, 76th AS C-20H aircraft commander. “Although the 76th Airlift Squadron is a DV airlift squadron, we too are warrior Airmen committed to our wartime efforts.”
What made the deployment even more unique was the length of time the 76th AS Airmen were deployed.
“Normal AEF flying deployments are four months long,” Captain Carlson said. “Our squadron filled this 10-month deployment despite a 30 to 40 percent turnover in squadron crewmember manning and had to aggressively train new crewmembers at home station due to PCS cycles, while balancing an operational schedule.”
To combat the unique deployment, the squadron implemented a 90-day plan, which rotated 40 crewmembers throughout the duration of the deployment.
“We’ve had a few rotations to manage our aircrew,” Captain Carlson said. “During this deployment we still flew DVs from home station, such as the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, U.S. Africa Command commander, and congressional delegations, to name a few.”
During the deployment, the squadron flew more than 310 sorties and 700 combat hours, 95 distinguished visitors and transported more than 1,100 total passengers.
“Our primary role in Afghanistan was to provide airlift support for COMISAF throughout the area of responsibility, back to Europe and even to the United States when needed,” Captain Carlson said. “When not tasked by COMISAF, we supported many other top U.S., NATO and allied leadership to include the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, the national security adviser, the president of Afghanistan and the NATO secretary general, among others.”
Maj. Marc Summers, deployed C-20 Detachment commander, said not only were the crews pivotal to moving key decision makers throughout the AOR, they were also the face of the Air Force as the only U.S. aircraft deployed to the NATO base.
“For the other countries, varying from Mongolia to Macedonia, Korea to Croatia, we were the picture of the U.S. Air Force that they know,” Major Summers said. “So, yes, this mission does affect the Air Force and the DOD, as the future leaders of several countries were there fighting the same battles that our troops were engaged in, side-by-side, and those future leaders will be our allies.”
Working closely with their NATO allies, the squadron was responsible for initiating processes to ensure excellent C-20 service to the AOR making for a rewarding deployment.
“I feel honored to have been a part of the operation, as does every single member of the 76th AS and the C-20 and C-37 flight,” Major Summers said. “Despite the hardship endured, we all know that we were pivotal in bringing peace to the future of Afghanistan.”
