Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. -- At the 621st Contingency Response Wing operational air movement is an important element in executing full spectrum CR operations.
To execute this task, the 621st Mobility Support Operations Squadron employ the Expeditionary Air Ground Liaison Element, Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command’s enlisted operation extension of Air Mobility Liaison Officers.
The EAGLE program employs career enlisted aviators and aerial port members to provide operational air movement expertise to Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational partners and falls under the building partnerships and joint integration functions of the Contingency Response Wing.
“AMC’s JIIM partners can utilize an EAGLE team throughout mission planning, all the way to mission execution in areas to include airlift requirement validation, load plan optimization, cargo documentation, and cargo preparation to name a few,” said Master Sgt. Andrew Vogel, 621st MSOS operations superintendent. “EAGLEs provide JIIM Leaders with a clear understanding of air mobility requirements, while guiding cargo preparation teams through a successful Joint Inspection and on–time aircraft departure.”
The EAGLE program was implemented in October 2019 and is a revision of the AMC Affiliation Program.
“The Affiliation Program primarily focused on teaching air load planning but did not effectively address the problem AMC faced with failed cargo joint inspections and aircraft delays when providing airlift for joint partners,” said Taylor Gaughf, 621st MSOS EAGLE member. “The EAGLE program set out to focus on integrating with the joint user and provide equipment preparation training and air load planning expertise.
The EAGLE program gives AMC the ability to resolve issues the joint member is facing at the tactical level and adapt to uncertain situations to push mission success.
“Being integrated with the joint user is what makes the program special,” Gaughf said. “There is no other Air Force unit that executes this mission in deployed locations as well as home station, providing support to Army, Navy, and Marine units. Most members do not have the opportunity to work as closely with the joint user and when members return to primary duty, this is experience can be a force multiplier.”
The EAGLE team most recently deployed in support of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, where they assessed the unit’s capabilities upon arrival and coordinated with AMLOs and the Air Force Joint Inspection team to facilitate the preparation and inspection of all cargo requirements.
“The EAGLE team integrated with the deploying force and trained 46 Soldiers in the proper preparation of cargo and personnel for airlift prior to the joint inspection,” Vogel said. “Their guidance eliminated 100% of frustrated cargo requirements and maintained the airlift schedule for more than 60 sorties.
The mission was lauded by AMC for its unprecedented velocity.
The 621st MSOS has also employed EAGLE teams to support Afghan Redux in support of 4,500 U.S. Army and Marines operating at five forward operating bases, and the Immediate Response Force deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division, to aid processing 52 C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft moving 2.9 million pounds of cargo and 3,500 passengers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
An EAGLE team is also participating in Exercise DEFENDER-Europe 20, an U.S. Army led exercise that began in February, tooted as the largest deployment of troops from the United States to Europe in more than 25 years.
The EAGLE program gives AMC and USTRANCOMs the capability to significantly increase the success of air mobility operations, and demonstrates the adaptive and agile expeditionary skills of CRW Airmen.