An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

21st AS helps out overseas

  • Published
  • By Capt Jachin Finch
  • 21st Airlift Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 21st Airlift Squadron, deployed as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron was recently tasked with a rare humanitarian assistance mission to airlift supplies into southern Tajikistan. According to various sources, including MSNBC, this region recently experienced devastating floods which killed at least 24 people, destroyed homes and flooded roadways. Although the primary mission of the 817th is tailored toward Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom sustainment, the squadron displayed its versatile operating ability by supporting this relief mission. The 817th, working through three separate deployed locations, planned and executed this mission despite a short-notice timeline, challenging weather, extreme operating conditions and language barriers.

Humanitarian assistance is always time sensitive and this was no exception. The aircrew, consisting of four pilots, three loadmasters, one crew chief, a three-member security detail (Ravens), one forklift driver and eight Army public affairs specialists, departed its deployed location enroute to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, with minimal notice.

The 817th contingent airlifted 13 pallets of tents and critical medical supplies to the devastated region. The crew was truly in uncharted territory. Various logistical challenges including extreme mountainous terrain and the necessity to airlift their own forklift and operator required precision planning from multiple agencies. Compounding these issues was the weight-bearing capacity of the rarely used runway in Kuylab, Tajikistan. This was the first C-17 Globemaster III to ever land at the Kuylab airstrip. Once clear of the weather and on final approach, it was apparent this was a special mission because an entire town of school-aged children was running through the streets to catch a glimpse of the strange giant gliding down onto an old forgotten Soviet era runway. Truckloads of Tajikistan army personnel helped offload the supplies and the crew again departed to Dushanbe.

The second relief flight from Dushanbe to Kulyab was absolutely majestic. The unknowns were now known and the weather had cleared. Despite the language and operations barriers between the air traffic controllers and the aircrew, everyone now seemed at peace. The C-17 landed to the same school-aged children running through the streets and was welcomed with open arms by the local government. The final offload, handshakes and pictures took place and the crew departed safely back to their deployed locations.

Despite the time sensitive nature of this operation, the entire 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, dispersed at three deployed locations, came together as one unit and accomplished an essential mission with global impact highlighted by the first C-17 ever into Kuylab airport and the first humanitarian mission flown into the region supporting these particular disaster relief efforts. From the planning stages through the final execution, the success weighed on all those involved in each process. The 21st AS, deployed as the 817th EAS, was honored to be a part of such a timely and well executed humanitarian relief mission.