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AMC 'Total Force' rushes to aid of Russian sailors

  • Published
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --   Air Mobility Command active-duty, Reserve and Air National Guard units pulled together Aug. 5 in a Total Force effort to rescue seven Russian sailors trapped in a submarine 625 feet below the ocean surface. The Russian sub became tangled in a fishing net Aug. 4 during a military exercise off Russia's Pacific coast, near the Kamchatka peninsula, Siberia.

The Tanker Airlift Control Center here coordinated multiple airlift and air refueling missions during the deployment phase of the rescue operation. Under control of the 18th Air Force, TACC is AMC's hub for planning and directing tanker and transport aircraft operations around the world.

A C-5 Galaxy assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., supported the deployment, carrying nearly 160,000 pounds of equipment and personnel out of Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. The C-5 was used to transport two U.S. Navy rescue submersibles along with associated equipment and personnel.

"When we received the request for a C-5 at North Island, we started looking for the quickest option," said Col. Richard Richardson, TACC senior director of operations. "TACC controllers looked at all possibilities and determined our best choice was a C-5 over South Dakota that was returning from Spain. We contacted the crew and instructed them to divert to North Island. In approximately three hours, that C-5 was on the ground at North Island preparing the aircraft for loading."

But that would only be the first of several missions, giving TACC personnel little time to enjoy their success.

"As requirements continued to flow into TACC throughout the day, everyone on the TACC floor felt a sense of urgency and pride in the role they were playing in trying to rescue the trapped Russian sailors," added the colonel.

By the end of the day, TACC had coordinated three additional airlift missions and associated tanker requirements.

A second airlifter, a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing, Jackson, Miss., flew to New Orleans NAS and uploaded approximately 95,000 pounds of equipment and personnel before flying non-stop to Russia.

A C-17 assigned to the 437th AW, Charleston AFB, S.C., flew to Andrews AFB, Md., and picked up a Deep Drone 8000 Remotely Operated Vehicle and associated equipment weighing nearly 71,000 pounds. The aircraft stopped at McChord AFB, Wash., for a fresh aircrew before delivering the life-saving cargo to Russia.

A third C-17, assigned to the 62nd AW at McChord AFB, was tasked to move a 60K loader, a 10K forklift and ground command and control personnel from Yokota Air Base, Japan, to Yelizovo, Russia.

AMC officials said the airlift missions could not have been accomplished as quickly as they were without the support of aerial refueling aircraft. According to a TACC senior controller, the refueling aircraft were used during each airlift mission to extend the range of the airlift aircraft and expedite the delivery of the rescue equipment.

Four refueling aircraft were used to support the operation: A KC-10 Extender from Travis AFB (60th AMW); a KC-135 Stratotanker from Portland, Ore. (939th Air Refueling Wing); and two KC-135s from the Alaska Air National Guard (168th ARW).

Gen. John W. Handy, commander of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, said he was impressed with AMC's response to the Russian sub crisis.

This potentially tragic event showcased the flexibility and unique global-reach capabilities of Air Mobility Command," the general said. "We once again demonstrated the world-class training and skills Americas Airmen display day in and day out.

During a time when our command is operating at a high operations tempo supporting the Global War on Terrorism, AMC members were still able to execute this rescue operation quickly, safely and professionally. America should have no doubts about its Air Forces global mobility mission."

Colonel Richardson said all AMC units leaned forward in supporting the massive rescue mission. He said the command used aircraft from a variety of sources, including aircraft currently on operational missions and training missions, Homeland Defense tankers, and a C-17 sitting alert.

"This was truly an impressive effort and the overall support was outstanding," added the colonel. "Our ability to respond to a crisis event anywhere around the world was once again validated. In less than 21 hours from initial notification, a C-5 was landing in Yelizovo, Russia, after completing a double aerial refueling."

General Handy also discussed the superb teamwork demonstrated by AMC people.

Our mission planners, aircrews and support personnel worked non-stop together with other services and nations to ensure vital rescue equipment reached its destination as quickly as possible, General Handy said. After all my years in the service, the men and women in this command never cease to amaze me. Im very proud of AMC's role in this rescue mission."

He said the rescue operation also showed AMC's Total Force capability, as active-duty and Guard personnel worked side-by-side to ensure operational success.

"This command can not do what it does without our partners in the Guard and Reserve," General Handy said. "This operation was no different."