Air Force Featured Stories

Aviano AB Airmen support Army mission to Poland

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) --  Airmen from Aviano Air Base recently supported a series of troop movements in partnership with U.S. Army Europe's Land Forces Assurance exercises.

Aircraft services technicians assigned to 724th Air Mobility Squadron here, worked around the clock to provide air mobility operations and support to the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Vicenza, Italy.

"We support every movement with the 173rd [IBCT] in one way, shape or form; whether it's doing a joint inspection to manifesting passengers to loading the plane," said Maj. David Magoc, 724th AMS director of operations. "This is a great opportunity for our Airmen. They're learning and practicing skillsets that will be in their tool bags for the rest of their careers."

Serving as a tenant unit here, the 724th AMS, assigned to the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, enables rapid mobility for joint operating environments in support of such operations and exercises.

On May 12, a platoon of approximately 30 airborne field artillery paratroopers from Bravo Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, deployed to Poland with two howitzer cannons that first had to be secured to special platforms that were prepared for air-drop by the aircraft services technicians.

"We can't move the howitzer over long distances without the Air Force's help," said Capt. Erich Murray, Bravo Battery commander. "It's integral that we work with the Air Force or we can't accomplish the mission."

One of the squadron's biggest responsibilities is to verify cargo is prepared for and loaded on the aircraft properly to ensure flight safety. According to Magoc, the seemingly simple task of loading an aircraft with people or cargo could end tragically if not completed properly.

"These movements give our guys the opportunity to stay proficient," Magoc said. "When you're talking about safety of flight you're talking about keeping a million dollar aircraft in the air without an incident."

In late April the Air Force and 31st Fighter Wing partnered to support the 173rd IBCT's 1-503rd Infantry Regiment deployments from Aviano AB to Poland and the Baltic states. Facilitating the movements has proved both challenging and rewarding.

"We're not a 24 hour operation and we're not manned for 24 hour operations; but when we have these missions it creates opportunities for our Airmen to excel," Magoc said. "It creates scheduling conflicts but our schedulers manage their people well. And we do all this while fulfilling our daily-to-day operations."

The Land Forces Assurance Exercises are aimed at demonstrating the United States' commitment to NATO and the collective defense responsibilities through increased ground, air, and naval force presence.

"Having deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, I understand the importance of working with multinational militaries," Murray said. "It's a great opportunity, especially for the younger guys who haven't deployed. It's important to work with another country's military to directly strengthen our NATO alliances."