SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq --
As much of Iraq prepared to take the next step toward democracy, Marines
and Airmen here were busy preparing to ensure the people entrusted to
oversee the polls were safely transported to their respective locations.
The 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s aerial port
flight worked with Marines from the II Marine Expeditionary Force
Headquarters Group to move 1,320 Iraqi poll workers on 10 missions over
two days, including two Iraqi Air Force C-130 flights.
“I volunteered for this deployment because I believed in the
mission and wanted to do my part,” said Capt. Robert L. Farkas, 447th
ELRS Aerial Port Flight commander. “Working on the flightline (moving)
U.S. and coalition troops and cargo to the field has been a very
rewarding experience since day one of my TDY. But when the call came
from the Marines for help in uploading Iraqi poll workers in support of
the (constitution) referendum, I was overwhelmed with excitement knowing
that we could make a difference elsewhere.”
That difference was evident in getting the poll workers safely to
their sites, enabling voters throughout Iraq to express their will
during the referendum.
“Captain Farkas and his flight led the charge from conception in
setting up communications, office space and lodging for the eight-person
Marine contingent to ensuring timely upload of the poll workers,” said
Lt. Col. John Foden III, 447th ELRS commander. “It has been nothing
short of awesome to witness this squadron’s hands-on leadership and
contributions to Iraqi history-in-the-making.”
The aerial port flight provided key flight information updates to the
Marines to coincide with the logistics of ferrying the Iraqi poll
workers on buses to the flightline, according to Captain Farkas.
“It was a wonderful experience to see the faces and smiles from the
Iraqis as they departed the buses and boarded the aircraft," he
said. "They were happy, but I could tell they were also very
nervous. For most, if not all, it was probably their first flight on an
aircraft.”
Members from aerial port buckled the Iraqis in, while handing out
hearing protection and water.
“Everyone on the plane was all smiles,” said Captain Farkas. “I
thought to myself how each one of them was risking their life -- and
possibly those of their families -- by taking part in the voting
process.”
The emotion was most evident when some of the poll workers were
loaded aboard an Iraqi Air Force C-130 that had an Iraqi flag hung just
inside the cargo bay. The Iraqi crewmembers were visibly excited to be
taking a lead role in an effort that was 10 months in the making, since
the Iraqis had elected a government in January to this moment when they
would vote on a constitution
–
a major democratic step according to Iraqi officials.
Once the elections were completed, the Marines and Airmen worked to
ensure the 1,320 Iraqis were returned safely to Baghdad International
Airport. Sandstorms caused some delays, but all were returned safely by
Oct.19.
“In all my experience of uploading aircraft, these missions I will
remember for the rest of my life ... knowing that I played an important
role in assisting a country in its election process toward building a
democracy,” said Captain Farkas.