Teamwork imperative

***image2***Team Ramstein provided support for the visit of President George W. Bush to Africa Feb. 15 to 21. U. S. Air Forces in Europe, 3rd Air Force, the 435th Air Base Wing and the 86th Airlift Wing deployed servicemembers and equipment to assist Joint Task Force-Nomad Fire in Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia.

The JTF headquarters remained at Ramstein to work the daily operations of activities associated with the presidential visit. JTF-Nomad Fire was established to provide various support functions including those for Air Force One as well as aeromedical support; command and control support; and helicopter support in Liberia. Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, 3rd Air Force commander, was tapped by U.S. European Command to stand up JTF-NF and serve as its leader.

“Most people can’t truly comprehend the magnitude of an operation like this,” General Bishop said. “The area the president visited – from the coast of Tanzania in the east to the coast of Liberia in the west – was more than 3,500 miles wide,” the general said. So when you are talking about bringing the president to six different locations on a continent that size where there’s little infrastructure, it’s a big effort.”

The most critical issue the JTF faced was airlift.

“It forced our joint team to work hard to prioritize missions, figure out where the president was going next, and make sure what needed to get there got there on time,” said General Bishop. “What made it all possible were the joint planning team’s efforts.”

Members of the 435th Air Base Wing Plans and Programs Office were some of the initial players.

“We are responsible for the 435th ABW commander’s senior staff and installation control center,” said Capt. Fran Tyson, 435th ABW Programs chief. Plans and Programs enhances information flow and wing leadership connectivity with higher headquarters and base agencies during exercises, contingencies and wartime operations.

“We ensured activities in support of Nomad Fire were executed in accordance with established local procedures and plans,” said Captain Tyson.

The 86th Airlift Wing Contingency Response Group, which is known as an initial operational and support force, sent about 50 personnel to the five locations in Africa.

“We provide support with air mobility operations, aircraft maintenance, management of aircrews and force protection,” said Lt. Col. Sean O’Neal, 86th CRG deputy commander. “Our mission continues until the last airplanes leave Africa again and make it back to Ramstein.”

The 786th Security Forces Squadron, which is part of the 86th CRG, supported Nomad Fire with 40 members. They performed antiterrorism and force protection duties in coordination with the American Embassy liaison personnel and host nation military and police forces. They surveyed runways, taxiways and aircraft ramps to ensure they were suitable to land and park Air Force One, its backup and other aircraft. Security forces members also provided security for critical command, control and communications nodes at three deployed locations.

“Overall, the contributions of the 786th Security Forces Squadron ensured the safe and effective African visit for President Bush, his staff and all support personnel and equipment,” said Master Sgt. Steve Arbona, 786th SFS operations superintendent.

Ramstein’s Joint Mobility Processing Center processed 264 deploying personnel and 545 short tons of cargo to six destinations. Most of the cargo and passengers traveled on a series of 20 C-17 missions. In addition to the C-17s, two C-130s, a KC-135 and C-21 were also used.

“Probably the most challenging part was staying on top of the requirement changes to ensure the right people and equipment made it to the right destinations,” said Lt. Col. Peter Tremblay, 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander.

Servicemembers went to 24-hour operations in the JMPC and brought in augmentees from throughout the 435th Logistics Readiness Group to support a deployment of this scale.

The 435th Materiel Maintenance Squadron working in a detachment at Sembach Annex took the first steps in pushing Nomad Fire in the right direction. With more than 300 hours a month logged in for maintenance on vehicles and equipment being prepped for storage in Sanem, Luxemburg, and maintaining more than 80 percent of U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s war reserve materiels stock, 435th MMS members always have their hands deep in the mission.

***image3***“Our efforts don’t always get the most recognition,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Roub. “But there’s no better feeling than being able to step up and provide whatever is asked of us at a moment’s notice, as we did in support of the president’s visit to Africa.”

After being called upon with just 72 hours to respond, the MMS members wasted no time preparing and moving more than 32 vehicular assets; 300 mosquito nets with poles which were issued to every Ramstein deployer; and 10 tents for 100 deployers from another branch of service to Ramstein to be placed on cargo aircraft and shipped to Africa for bare base setup in support of the event.

“Our squadron motto is strength through diversity,” said Master Sgt. Lou Harishinski.

“Because of this, we are able to overcome tough situations and provide equipment that we’ve stored and kept in pristine condition for missions such as Nomad Fire,” added Master Sgt. Eric Jensen.

Airmen of the 435th Medical Group were called into action 14 days prior to the presidential visit. The medical group ensured 210 joint servicemembers who processed through Ramstein were medically screened, cleared and provided essential force health protection guidance. Specifically, the 435th MDG provided more than 300 immunizations for diseases endemic to the continent of Africa and provided daily prophylactic protection against malaria.

Furthermore, the group deployed three medical teams, consisting of 12 Airmen and more than six short tons of medical supplies and equipment. A mobile forward surgical team, along with two critical care aeromedical transport teams, stood by to provide onsite surgical stabilization, critical care and aeromedical evacuation support to the White House staff, the U.S. Secret Service, the military quick reaction force and more than 1,200 joint task force members.

Lastly, the medical group provided logistical support to the remainder of the Air Force medical team which transited Ramstein in route from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Lackland AFB, Texas; RAF Lakenheath, UK; and other various locations to Africa.

“All team members expressed the honor of utilizing their expert skills in treating our wounded military heroes, but felt an immense pride in being requested to actually support the commander in chief during his visit to Africa, described as an exciting once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity,” said Col. Angela Thompson, 435th Medical Group commander.

(JTF Public Affairs contributed to this article.)