Travis Airmen transport vice president to Iraq

Published Jan. 12, 2012
By Capt. Steven Jones
21st Airlift Squadron

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A Travis C-17 Globemaster III flown by the 21st Airlift Squadron, descended Nov. 29, 2011, into Baghdad International Airport during a top secret mission to bring Vice President Joe Biden to Iraq for the last time before the Dec. 31, 2011, troop withdrawal.

Flying completely blacked out, the experienced aircrew relied on their airborne command and control, U.S. fighters and their night vision goggles to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.

As they entered Baghdad airspace, the pilots observed multiple muzzle flashes from small arms, as well as a ground explosion in front of the aircraft. Maj. Brandon Tellez, the aircraft commander, maintained a high rate of speed to escape the weapons engagement zone.

The crew spotted the airport, slowed the aircraft and landed the C-17 safely on Baghdad's runway. Once the aircraft reached its parking spot, the passengers exited through the crew entry door, loaded into helicopters and were escorted to the U.S. Embassy. Aircraft 77179, the "Spirit of Travis," was flying as Air Force Two.

In mid-November, Lt. Col. Louis Hansen, 21st AS director of operations, was told that a crew would be transporting the vice president to Iraq.

The crew planned with only the knowledge that everything had to be perfect. The purpose of the trip would be divulged in execution.

The 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was briefed that only the crew needed the best jet available to be pre-flighted on the day after Thanksgiving. Despite such vague guidelines, the AMXS team not only readied the primary aircraft, but also provided a backup aircraft in pristine condition. Additional support was provided by 60th Operations Support Squadron current operations, which was instrumental in correcting shortfalls in the initial Tanker Airlift Control Center plan.

"This mission was a team effort," Hansen said. "The support agencies involved, notably AMXS and current ops, provided first-rate support and guaranteed the success of this high-profile mission."

The vice president landed in Germany and prepared to board the Travis Globemaster. The experience of the loadmasters and crew chief -- Master Sgt. Clinton Yancey, Staff Sgt. Shevaun Reighter and Staff Sgt. Andrew Baumgart -- proved invaluable as they were able to rapidly upload the required equipment and prepare for departure.

Biden walked directly to the cockpit and thanked the crew for flying him. Hansen handed the vice president a 21st AS Beeliners hat and Biden took a seat on the flight deck. The vice president talked with the crew and expressed his gratitude for the ride.

Upon arrival into Iraq, Biden walked off the plane into the awaiting press pool proudly wearing his 21st Airlift Squadron hat.

Following his meetings with the president of Iraq and the prime minister -- and after a dedication at Camp Victory, the crew picked up Biden in Baghdad. They flew the vice president to Irbil Airfield, where the Kurdish regional president was waiting to meet him.

From this point, the Travis bird flew as a backup to Air Force Two for stops in Turkey and Athens, Greece. Prior to departure from Athens, the crew was invited for a photo with Biden. He awarded each member of the crew with a coin, and lauded their outstanding service and professionalism and his senior military aide stated that the crew was the "best C-17 crew he'd ever flown with."

The overall support provided by the 60th Air Mobility Wing, as well as the skill and professionalism of the Beeliners, proved instrumental to the success of this once-in-a-lifetime mission.