Aviano’s Atlas actions: Holding up Saber Junction 16

Published April 22, 2016
By Senior Airman Austin Harvill
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Eighteen airlift aircraft performed 103 sorties during an exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy, from March 31 to April 24, 2016.

Saber Junction 16 evaluated the readiness of 5,000 U.S. Army, Air Force, NATO and European partner nations' military forces to conduct land operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability. Aviano units helped facilitate the 19-country exercise in and around Aviano and its air space. From flight plans to food stands, Team Aviano supported their guests to ensure mission success.

Scott Cusimano, the 405th Army Field Support Brigade Army liaison to Aviano, works with the base to coordinate support for the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Saber Junction 16 lead.

"While I normally gather Air Force support for the 173rd Airborne Brigade, this exercise took us to a whole new level of mobility and support integration," said Cusimano. "This was one of the largest operations to take place with Aviano as a centerpiece, and the entire Aviano team went above and beyond to make Saber Junction 16 possible."

The biggest support players were the 31st Operations Support Squadron, 31st Mission Support Group and 724th Air Mobility Squadron, all of which set the exercise's foundation before personnel arrived.

"The first thing we had to do as a team was get together and figure out where everyone was going," said Cusimano. "That meant finding a place for our on-base guests and their equipment."

Cusimano turned to Tech. Sgt. Tawjia Simpson, 31st OSS airfield management NCO in charge, for solutions.

"We evaluated wingtip-to-wingtip spacing requirements, pavement stability and overall space to create a parking plan," said Simpson. "The plan ensured all 18 aircraft, plus Aviano's F-16 Fighting Falcons, had a place to go upon landing."

With the parking plan in place, they allocated another section of the flightline to house 2,700 of the incoming personnel.

"Airfield management found a spot for our guests," said Cusimano. "In addition to the Life Support Area, we required a facility near the flightline to operate as the primary command and control center."

The 31st Mission Support Group led the charge to transform M Loop into the LSA, or housing site, and upgrade the Personnel Alert Holding Area, which would become the command and control center.

The 31st Contracting, Civil Engineer and Force Support Squadrons worked with U.S. Army personnel and local contractors to build the LSA. The guests stayed in four large tents with cots and had access to showers, bathrooms and even convenience-store items from a trailer-sized shop.

As accommodations were set up, the 31st Communication Squadron expanded Aviano's cyber network to the PAHA. They reconfigured approximately 75 network devices, laid 500 feet of cable and facilitated access for 400 additional personnel.

"Once the Saber Junction 16 team arrived, we had a whole new challenge of moving people and cargo continuously," said Cusimano. "We needed base personnel to load the airlift aircraft, bus people to and from the LSA, and transport materiel for cargo drops."

The 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron and 724th Air Mobility Squadron stepped in to meet the challenge. The two units inspected, transported, loaded and unloaded all equipment such as air drop cargo, jet fuel, diesel generators and Meals-Ready-to-Eat. Additionally, they coordinated up to 45 buses at a time to ferry personnel from the LSA to the PAHA.

"The entire Aviano team performed like Saber Junction 16 was just another daily operation instead of a completely new challenge," said Cusimano. "I look forward to seeing Saber Junction take place at Aviano again because I know this team will come back as veterans and provide even more outstanding work for the Army and our NATO and European partners."