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C-130s: Backbone of the GWOT

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  (Editor's note: This is the first in a series on the mission of the 317th Airlift Group.)

They're able to work in Antarctica, in 144 degree weather, on dirt runway strips, in sandstorms and off runways with less than 3,000 feet of space. If a sortie is needed in the world's toughest and austere locations, the 317th Airlift Group is called upon.

"The C-130 has such a unique job whether its an airdrop of equipment, food or troops on the ground," said Capt. Robert Ovares, 39th Airlift Squadron pilot. "Being a part of mobility is truly unique and fun."

If seeing a C-130 crew for the first time, one of the first things that might stand out is how well they work together. The crew is made up of a pilot, co-pilot, navigator, flight engineer and one or two loadmasters.

The officer and enlisted relationship with the crew is truly special, Captain Ovares said.
"The trust in the fellow team members is critical to coming home safely," he said. "Each one of the crew members is literally worth his weight in gold."

Before a flight, the crew meets to discuss the mission flight plan, weather and operational concerns. After the mission briefings, the enlisted crew makes its way out to the C-130 to begin the preflight inspections and load the cargo.

The flight engineer will look over the flight systems, calculate performance data and monitor the aircraft's systems, said Staff Sgt. Greg Dedicke, 39th AS flight engineer.

"The flight engineer is in a sense much like 'Scotty' from Star Trek," Captain Ovares said.

The loadmasters will check the back of the aircraft, making sure all the hooks and straps are properly secured before loading the package to be delivered, said Senior Airman Jesse Morey, 39th AS loadmaster.

In the air, the crew works together as a team to make sure they're able to return home safely from a deployment, Captain Ovares said.

"The special thing for me is being able to work with a crew where I know that someone is always going to be there to back me up," said 1st Lt. Mike McKinney, 39th AS co-pilot.

That crew's ability to work together becomes paramount, especially when the team is deployed. Being in Iraq or Afghanistan can be a dangerous place, and it's everyone's responsibility to make sure they return home safely, said Master Sgt. Ziggy Pernot, 39th AS flight engineer.

"I had not been shot at since 2003, but on my last deployment we were climbing out of a field when I heard the loadmaster scream he sees a missile," Sergeant Pernot said. "The pilots are trained on what do when that happens, and we have counter measures to - hopefully - avoid the missile. We found out later from troops on the ground that we were indeed the target."

The C-130s and other heavy aircraft are often the targets of insurgents by nature of their mission, Captain Ovares said.

"The proximity of aircraft to the ground is closer, and we are not as fast as other aircraft," Captain Ovares said. "We are also unable to shoot back, but I really don't have to worry about that because of the training we have received. You trust and rely on your crewmembers that if you do get hit, to tell you if you can continue flying or if you need to put the aircraft down."

That's what the captain says gives him comfort while flying with his team.
"You are never alone up there. Your concern is their concern - getting home," Captain Ovares said.

Besides the dangers of the deployments, the heavy deployment cycles do weigh on the minds of the members of the 317th Airlift Group.

"The deployments can be tough on families," Captain Ovares said. "Our leadership here though is great and understands our concerns. There is always an open line of communication for our families, and if someone needs to get home for a good reason the leadership does everything it can to make it happen."

It isn't uncommon to see a young Airman, such as Airman Morey, who has deployed six times and already maxed out his points for promotion from medals in the 317th AG.
You won't hear much complaining coming from the group though, they take great pride in what they have accomplished in the deployed environment, the captain said.

"The level of excellence the team has every time it deploys - it just amazes me," Captain Ovares said. "That is truly what is special about this job."