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Deployed airlift squadron's teamwork overcomes obstacles

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Operating at a deployed location can introduce new challenges, but the men and women of the 745th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron have exceeded expectations and shown how teamwork and the willingness to serve can overcome almost any obstacle.

"The 745th EAS is a squadron made up of extraordinary individuals who've done an extraordinary job," said Lt. Col. Lee Flint, the former 745th EAS director of operations deployed from Pope AFB, N.C.

The 745th EAS is deployed here in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The C-130's main role is theater tactical airlift. This aircraft is primarily used to deliver troops and equipment into hostile areas.

"The 745th EAS is comprised of more than 250 crewmembers from four different active duty units," said Colonel Flint. Within days of arrival into the AOR, crewmembers from the different bases were already interlinking and flying combat missions, he said.

In addition to conquering the mix of crews, they also must tackle flying several variants of the C-130 Hercules, including the E, H1 and H3 models.

The members of the 745th EAS have not only overcome these contests but have also become history makers. From defeating small arms, surface-to-air missiles and mortar attacks, the 745th has still managed to log more than 4,000 combat hours and delivered more than 31,500 passengers and 6,400 tons of cargo.

A C-130 crew is normally comprised of six people: two pilots, a navigator, a flight engineer and two loadmasters. There are others who don't have a presence of the aircraft during missions, but they cover a huge responsibility for mission capability - the maintainers.

"We are a very important part of the team," said Airman 1st Class Dylan Marquis, a C-130 crew chief who's deployed from Little Rock AFB, Ark.

Often working more than 12 hours a day, maintainers fill a critical role. "Most of the time we're in the background, but we know how important we are to the mission," said Airman Marquis. "I don't complain about the hours because, honestly, I've learned more here in a week than I've learned in a month back home."

"I'm very excited about the great things we do here," added Colonel Flint. "We're making history, and I'm proud to be a part of it."