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.

Mobility Airman profile: C-130 pilot supports combat airlift in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  There's not a day that goes by on his deployment where 1st Lt. Russell Stanfield doesn't have an impact. As a C-130 Hercules pilot and mission coordinator with the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, he and Airmen in his unit support operations New Dawn, Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with combat airlift.

The 737th EAS is part of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. Lieutenant Stanfield is deployed from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

As a C-130 pilot, Lieutenant Stanfield regularly flies combat airlift missions in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and he is doing exactly what he was trained to do. 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, Lieutenant Stanfield 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 Lieutenant Stanfield 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.

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

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing 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. The wing is comprised of the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group, 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 386th Expeditionary Medical Group, and 387th Air Expeditionary Group and includes approximately 2,400 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen.

At his home station in the 36th Airlift Squadron of the 374th Operations Group at Yokota, Lieutenant Stanfield is part of the "only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific," according to the Yokota AB Web site. The squadron maintains a forward presence and supports combat operations by "providing responsive movement of personnel and equipment through aerial delivery and assault air-land operations." The squadron also maintains C-130H mission-ready aircrew to conduct theater airlift, special operations, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, repatriation and humanitarian relief missions.