Dyess officer, C-130 pilot, supports Southwest Asia combat airlift; participates in Kuwait's '50-20' celebration

Published Feb. 28, 2011
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- When you're a deployed C-130 Hercules pilot, you have to be prepared for any mission that comes along. For Maj. Timothy Townsend of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, that could mean supporting combat airlift for anywhere in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility or, more recently, supporting Kuwait's "50/20" celebration.

The celebration commemorated Kuwait's 50th anniversary of its independence and 20th anniversary of its liberation from Iraqi forces as a result of Operation Desert Storm in 1991, according to a 386th Air Expeditionary Wing news report.

Major Townsend, who is also the assistant director of operations for the 737th EAS at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, was the crew commander of a C-130H Hercules participating in a fly-by over the large military parade for the celebration, the news report showed. In the story, Major Townsend commented on his participation in the fly-by and the event.

"We were just one of the aircraft used during this large event," Major Townsend said in the report. "There were U.S. Navy, Army and other Air Force aircraft as part of the event. I'm very honored to be asked to command this aircraft. It's a huge deal for the Kuwaitis and I'm flattered to be a part of it. This is just one more event that further strengthens the bond between the U.S. and Kuwait."

Deployed from the 40th Airlift Squadron, 317th Airlift Group, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Major Townsend has a lot of responsibility every time he flies a C-130. According to his official Air Force job description for an airlift pilot, he is required to "pilot airlift aircraft and command crews to accomplish airlift, training and other missions."

To fulfill his work as an airlift pilot, Major Townsend reviews mission tasking, intelligence and weather information, the job description states. He supervises mission planning, preparation, filing a flight plan and crew briefings and he ensures the aircraft is pre-flighted, inspected, loaded, equipped and manned for each mission.

Airmen like Major Townsend also pilot aircraft and command crews. They are trained to operate aircraft controls and equipment and perform, supervise, or direct navigation, in-flight refueling, and cargo and passenger delivery. They also ensure the operational readiness of the crew by conducting or supervising mission specific training and they develop plans and policies, monitor operations and assist commanders with functions related to airlift operations, the job descript shows.

Pilots like Major Townsend also have to maintain mandatory job knowledge in the theory of flight, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures and mission tactics.

At his home station with the 40th AS and the 317th AG, Major Townsend supports a mission that for more than 65 years "has championed the cause for tactical airlift, bringing to bear on a hundred nations the compassion and resolve of America and her allies," the group's Air Force fact sheet states.

The 317th AG fact sheet also showed that in 1990, Airmen from the group "showcased" their abilities by deploying elements of the XVIII Airborne Corps to Saudi Arabia during the first days of Desert Shield. So, Major Townsend's participation in the celebration was probably fitting.

"The 317th became the first tactical airlift unit from the states to deploy," the fact sheet states. "Early in 1991, during the final days of Desert Storm, the 317th airlifted U.S. and allied combat troops deep inside Iraq territory. This was in support of Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf's 'Hail Mary' flanking maneuver that led to the surrender of Iraq's elite Republican Guard.

"Today, the men and women of the 317th are proudly carrying on the tradition of professionalism and personal sacrifice," the fact sheet also shows.

Now with the 386th AEW, Major Townsend supports a wing that is "the primary tactical airlift hub for re-supply missions supporting coalition operations in Iraq and provides combat service support to land component forces throughout the Persian Gulf Region and Iraq," the 386th AEW Web site shows.

(Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this report.)