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.

Illinois Air National Guard C-130 pilot supports airlift ops in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  First Lt. Brian Rezac, is a C-130 Hercules pilot assigned to the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Rezac is deployed from the 169th Airlift Squadron, 182nd Airlift Wing, of the Illinois Air National Guard at Peoria International Airport. His hometown is also Peoria, Ill.

According to his official Air Force job description, Lieutenant Rezac pilots airlift aircraft and commands crews to accomplish airlift, training and other missions. On his current deployment, Lieutenant Rezac supports the Operation Enduring Freedom area of operations in Afghanistan.

The Air Force job description also states that in piloting the C-130, Lieutenant Rezac reviews mission tasking, intelligence and weather information and supervises mission planning, preparation, filing a flight plan and crew briefing. He also ensures aircraft are pre-flighted, inspected, loaded, equipped and manned for mission.

During flight, Lieutenant Rezac operates aircraft controls and equipment and performs, supervises, or directs navigation, in-flight refueling and cargo and passenger delivery.

To do his job, Lieutenant Rezac maintains mandatory job knowledge in theory of flight, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures and mission tactics.

Lieutenant Rezac is like many Guardsmen supporting the Air National Guard's federal mission. According to the National Guard Bureau, that mission is to maintain "well-trained, well-equipped" units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances).

During peacetime, the combat-ready units and support units are assigned to most Air Force major commands to carry out missions compatible with training, mobilization readiness, humanitarian and contingency operations such as for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The Air National Guard provides almost half of the Air Force's tactical airlift support, combat communications functions, aeromedical evacuations and aerial refueling. In addition, the Air National Guard has total responsibility for air defense of the entire United States.

According to its Air Force fact sheet, Air Mobility Command's mission is to provide global air mobility ... right effects, right place, right time. The command also plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian support at home and around the world. AMC Airmen-- active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilians -- provide airlift and aerial refueling for all of America's armed forces. Many special duty and operational support aircraft and stateside aeromedical evacuation missions are also assigned to AMC.