An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

16th Airlift Squadron returns home safely

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul Kilgallon
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  More than 117 Airmen from the 16th Airlift Squadron returned Monday afternoon from a 123-day deployment to Southwest Asia as part of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

The 16 AS Lions were deployed as the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from May to September. They successfully completed more than 4,500 sorties acquiring more than 7,000 flying hours

The Lions airlifted more than 150 million pounds of cargo and transported more than 115, 000 Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors throughout Southwest Asia and central command. Additionally, in support of U.S. and coalition forces, the Lions also transported more than 2,300 tactical vehicles, including Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.

The 16 AS completed several military aeromedical evacuation missions; the most significant was a 14-hour transcontinental flight from Balad AB, Iraq to Andrews Air Force Base where two critically injured Soldiers could receive medical care.

In support of coalition forces the 16 AS transported more than 600 Jordanian medical members and equipment throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility as part of the war against terrorism and delivered over 1 Million pounds of ammunition to the Lebanese Army.

In an effort to honor the history of air power contributions made by women, the Lions commemorated the 110th birthday of Amelia Earhart by having an all-female crew complete a supply mission to Afghanistan. The mission took them to three locations in Southwest Asia, transporting more than 85,000 pounds of explosives and a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle to troops at forward operating locations.

They were also the first squadron to complete a combat airdrop using the cutting-edge "Screamer" steerable GPS-guided container delivery system. They delivered more than 29,000 pounds of food, water, supplies and ammunition at two remote locations in Afghanistan.

Although the Joint Precision Airdrop System has been operational on C-17s in theater for several months, the mission performed by the 16 AS was the first combat airdrop using the "screamer" chutes, expanding C-17 employment capabilities and providing increased parachute accuracy, ensuring Soldiers on the ground obtained provisions faster.

"I humbled by the performance of the 16 AS from our more than 120 day deployment," said Lt. Col. Paul Eberhart 16 AS commander of the 16 AS. "A lot of training and preparation went into the planning of our deployment and when we arrived in theater it was as demanding as we anticipated."

Colonel Eberhart went on to say, "We are very grateful the wing leadership and family members were able to meet us at the aircraft and we were overjoyed to have them share in the moment of our return home."

Colonel Eberhart said there was no question about the importance of what they were doing and he personally would like to thank every member of the 16 AS for putting forth the extra effort to get the mission accomplished.

"Today's safe return of our 16 AS teammates is a reminder of how we're collectively delivering freedom and saving lives every day," said Col. John Michel, 437th Airlift Wing vice wing commander. "We are very impressed with the 16 AS's outstanding performance in this high visibility, no-fail mission and are proud of all their achievements."

Upon their return home the 16 AS will be afforded time for their Airmen to be with their friends and family. They will begin to re-establish their normal work routines and start their training cycles in preparation for their next deployment.