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3rd Airlift Squadron performs first squadron deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 3rd Airlift Squadron made history as they deployed for the first time April 26th.

More than 150 3rd AS members deployed to Southwest Asia to support the airlift mission, providing intratheater airlift through two main hubs to deliver much-needed cargo to the front lines.

"This is a unique mission for the airlift community," said Lt. Col. Kevin Gordon, 3rd AS commander. "As a new C-17 squadron, we're inserting ourselves into the mix to alleviate some of the pressure on other bases."

The 3rd AS was originally slated to deploy in 2010, but Colonel Gordon said after looking at their squadron, he knew they were ready.

"We've got a very qualified and experience crew force," said Colonel Gordon. "They formed this squadron from other C-17 bases through the states. We took that experience and melded it here and we knew we were ready for this challenge."

With only eight months and no continuity to work from, the 3rd AS Mobility and Readiness Section had their work cut out for them.

"It was a new experience, we started in near chaos," said Capt. Jon-Paul Griffin, 3rd AS officer in charge of mobility and readiness. "Everyone who is deploying has a mobility folder with roughly 20 to 30 items that need to be tracked. With over 150 people deploying that was a lot of paperwork we had to make sure was ready. Any one paper out of order, training records, medical records or even uniform items, could stop a person from getting on the plane."

With six officers and six enlisted members, the 3rd AS Mobility and Readiness Section was able to track down all the needed paperwork and help the squadron get to 100 percent readiness.

"As we got closer to time to fly out, everything just got sharper and came together," said Captain Griffin. "We prepared as much as we could, but there are some things you can only do as you're closer to flying out."

Deploying an entire squadron can be hard work, but it does provide the 3rd AS a distinct advantage down range.

"I know the strength and weaknesses of this squadron," said Colonel Gordon. "We have the opportunity to build the strongest teams for our missions. There are always risks when flying in combat in large aircraft like the C-17. Having teams that already know each other allows us to mitigate some of those risks."

While the 3rd AS deployed as a squadron, it took a base-wide effort to ensure it was possible, according to Colonel Gordon.

"The support we received from the folks throughout the base has been phenomenal," said Colonel Gordon. "From the 436th Security Forces Squadron providing additional fire arms training, the 436th Aerial Port Squadron preparing our cargo, the 436th Force Support Squadron running two deployment lines, the Airmen and Family Readiness Center supporting our families now and while we are deployed, to all the other base agencies who made this possible. This wasn't a 3rd AS deployment, this was a Team Dover deployment."