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Despite different operating locations Fairchild supports Oddysey Dawn

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt Jennifer Buzanowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  In the last week, Airmen of the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings have stood alert for missions supporting Japan, sent KC-135s forward to support Operation Odyssey Dawn, and continue to be the lead wing supporting the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.

"And we're doing this from three different locations," said Col. Paul Guemmer, 92nd ARW commander.

Since January, Airmen have been working around runway repair so they've utilized the Spokane International Airport and a former U.S. Air Force base in the Moses Lake community.

"The operations tempo to support our normal flying mission and our rotations to Kyrgyzstan has proved challenging operating from three different runways," said Colonel Guemmer. "We stand ready to support a mission to aid Japan if called upon. To accomplish each and every tasking given to us is a testament to the hard work, dedication and sheer determination of our people. I couldn't be more proud."

Guardsmen have also welcomed these challenges.

"Air National Guard Airman of the 141st work and train alongside 92nd Airman every day. When short notice military involvement is required in operations such as Odyssey Dawn and Tomodachi, Airman of the 141st are ready and excited about the opportunity to participate in these important missions," said Col. Richard Kelly, 141st ARW commander.

Fairchild deployed a total of seven KC-135s and about 100 Airmen to support U.S. and Coalition aircraft enforcing the no-fly zone of Libya. This doesn't come without challenges, said Colonel Guemmer.

"The biggest threat to our Airmen is the airspace itself. With any military operation that shares airspace with multiple services and countries we need to take extra care that we're flying safely, Colonel Guemmer said. "A lot of work goes into the planning process to designate where our tankers fly - and when all the receiver aircraft are scheduled to refuel."

Colonel Guemmer stresses the impact refueling operations have.

It's essential to extend the capability of our fighter, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, he said. No other military, no other country can do what we can do with our tankers. We are unmatched.

"Although the operation tempo for Fairchild is high - the dedication to the mission and performance have not wavered," Colonel Guemmer said. "In fact, we had a maintainer who got married Saturday and just hours later he was on one of the tankers that left Saturday to support Odyssey Dawn."