Staff Sgt. Paige Greene, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Air Terminal Operations Center flight supervisor, and Sr. Airman Russell Chamblee, 30th ELRS Air Terminal Operations Center flight specialist secure a 25 foot bulk helium trailer as part of a helium loading mission Aug. 24 at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. The 380th ELRS delivers approximately 90,000 thousand pounds of helium per week to the Area of Responsibility. Photo by Tech. Sgt. April Wickes

While growing up in Columbus, Ga., Senior Airman Russell Chamblee worked for a construction company driving a 50-ton truck and trailer. Little did he know that the skills he learned then would be an important part of a program vital to warfighters on the ground.

The Airman, deployed from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Md., uses his driving ability to support The USCENTCOM Helium Trailer program that enables Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations in the Area of Responsibility.

Trailers of helium are used to fill a series of lighter than air vehicles, also called blimps, which provide constant surveillance over the battlefield and coalition forces.

The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing is the only current filling station for the helium trailers in the AOR. The 380th AEW delivers approximately 90,000 pounds of helium to the AOR weekly. Airmen from the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron pick up the trailers and process them.

Chamblee’s role is to drive the 25-foot helium trailer into the cargo bay of a C-17 Globemaster III parked on the flightline at this undisclosed location.

The leeway for error in this operation is minuscule.

“The trailer has to be absolutely in the center of the aircraft so that you don’t throw off the balance,” said Chamblee. “There is only a margin of error of about three inches.”

The driver makes it look simple as he effortlessly guides the trailer into the aircraft on his first attempt.

Tech. Sgt. Joseph Munn knew it was no easy task. The sergeant, who was supervising the loading operation and pitching in when needed, said that it would take previous drivers four or five attempts to properly load the trailer into the aircraft.

“He really is one of our star drivers,” said Munn. “His skill makes the job a lot easier and less stressful.”

The Jacksonville, Ark., native, who is also deployed from the 89th APS, said he enjoys working with the flight crew and he gets satisfaction working on the helium missions because he knows how vital they are to warfighters.

“We deal with load masters on a regular basis, we may not know them personally, but we know what each other’s responsibilities are and we are able to work together well and stay on the same page,” said Munn. “We take pride in doing our piece of it. It makes you feel good to know the role you play in the big picture.”

Chamblee said he enjoys working with the flight crew as well and said he envisions himself as a loadmaster on the ground.

Chamblee said the next step is to share his knowledge with his coworkers. He plans to do some in-house training to share his tactics and techniques with his coworkers. He said he really enjoys driving for the helium missions.

“These helium missions have been my favorite job to do in the month I have been here because they are so challenging,” he said. “It makes me feel great to know I’m helping the warfighters on the ground in the combat zone.”

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Story by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee

Capt. Jaclyn Cordero is a maintenance officer for the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia.

Cordero is deployed from the 6th Maintenance Operations Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and her hometown is Staten Island, N.Y.

The Captain who is responsible maintenance actions that directly support flightline operations said her New York upbringing was a key ingredient in her choice to join the Air Force.

“Since high school, I’ve always wanted to serve my country in some way and being from New York City, the events of September 11th gave me even more motivation,” said Cordero. “I joined AFROTC in college and after seeing the mission and working with the people, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. ”

The captain said a large part of her success is the excellent caliber of the Airman she leads.

“What I do at work is nothing compared to what the men and women of this Maintenance Group do,” said Cordero. “They are the ones who are turning the wrenches, repairing parts or equipment, scheduling or launching aircraft. I would not be successful if it wasn’t for their hard work. When you can watch an aircraft take off knowing all the effort that went into it and see it safely return after completing a mission that helped save US lives, it’s a great feeling.”

At the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, the flightline is a busy place every day. With KC-10 Extender, E-3 Sentry, U-2 Dragon Lady and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft taking off for combat missions every day, aircraft maintenance Airmen have to have the generators and other aerospace ground equipment available to keep those aircraft prepped to go at any time.

The captain knows that her Airman play an integral role keeping 380th AEW aircraft in the air.

“Aircraft maintenance is the key in launching safe and reliable aircraft into the fight,” said Cordero. “Without the ability to command and control airborne assets with the E-3 Sentry AWACS, refuel combat and support aircraft with the KC-10 Extender, and perform surveillance and reconnaissance operations with U-2 Dragon Lady and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft, the lives of ground force are at risk. Without aircraft maintenance, those missions do not happen.”

The 380th EMXS is a sub-unit of the 380th AEW. The 380th AEW is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing’s deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia.

Cordero said that serving in the military is a rewarding experience.

“It’s not always an easy job or the most convenient way of life, but it’s extremely fulfilling to be a part of something bigger than you,” Cordero said. “I have had opportunities that most people only dream about- I’ve lived in different parts of the US, I’ve deployed twice, to include performing counter-drug operations in South America, I have been to 25 states and five countries and I met my amazing husband Carlo, all because of the Air Force.”

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Story by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee

Tech. Sgt. Carrie Richardson is a security forces craftsman with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. Photo by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol

Tech. Sgt. Carrie Richardson is a security forces craftsman with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at a non-disclosed base here.

As a security forces Airman, Richardson supports all security and force protection efforts for a deployed wing, the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, of more than 1,900 people and for billions of dollars worth of Air Force equipment and assets.

Security forces Airmen like Richardson receive a host of specialized training to complete their deployed mission. In doing his deployed job, Richardson has worked the security forces control desk, flightline security, entry controlling to U.S.-controlled areas and base-wide patrols.

According to her Air Force job description, Richardson is required to be able to lead, manage, supervise and perform force protection duties to include the use of deadly force to protect personnel and resources. She’s also required to perform air base defense functions contributing to the force protection mission which includes controlling and securing terrain inside and outside military installations.

In addition to doing his job of defending personnel, equipment and resources from hostile forces, security forces members like Richardson are capable of operating in various field environments and can perform individual and team patrol movements. Those movements include mounted and dismounted patrols, tactical drills, battle procedures, convoys, military operations other than war, antiterrorism duties and other special duties, according to the official job description.

A typical day at work for Richardson includes wearing the latest in “battle rattle.” This can include the latest in protective armor and combat-ready gear. Additionally, she’ll carry a loaded M-4 rifle, and possibly an M-9 pistol, in carrying out his deployed duties.

Her Air Force job description also shows security forces are able to operate communications equipment, vehicles, intrusion detection equipment, crew-served weapons and other special purpose equipment. As first responders, they can also apply self-aid buddy care and other life-saving procedures at accident and disaster scenes. With law enforcement, security forces are capable to apprehend and detain suspects, search persons and property, secures crime and incident scenes, and collect, seize and preserve evidence.

Richardson is deployed from the 66th Security Forces Squadron at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., and her hometown is Philadelphia, Penn.

The 380th ESFS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing’s deployed mission includes air refueling, air battle management, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

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Story by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol

Tech. Sgt. Johnette Chun, a services craftsman assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, cleans the salad bar area at Roy's Flight Kitchen in the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing operations area at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia on May 1. At her deployed location, she serves as the NCO in charge of the night shift of Roy's Flight Kitchen. She is deployed from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Force Support Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and her hometown is Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. Photo by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol

Tech. Sgt. Johnette Chun is a services craftsman assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron at a non-disclosed base here. At her deployed location, she serves as the NCO in charge of the night shift of Roy’s Flight Kitchen in the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s operations area.

Chun is deployed from the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Force Support Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and her hometown is Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii. As a services craftsman with the 380th EFSS, Chun supports the morale, welfare, fitness and recreation of more than 1,900 deployed service members for the 380th AEW.

In the 380th EFSS, services support programs range a myriad of areas and Chun has to be ready to support any one of them. According to her official Air Force job description, services Airmen like Chun manage and direct services programs, operations and retail operations. They supervise and work in appropriated fund food service and lodging activities, recreation, fitness and sports programs, linen exchange operations, mortuary affairs programs, honor guard teams and services readiness programs.

In managing services operations, Airmen like Chun help improve work methods and procedures to ensure economic operation and customer satisfaction. They also resolve complaints, apply accounting principles to control resources, determine appropriated and non-appropriated fund budget requirements, and requisitions and accounts for subsistence, supplies and equipment needed to support services programs — to name a few.

Furthermore, services Airmen like Chun also identify facility requirements and conduct surveys to determine facility renovation, construction and modernization needs, the job description states. They also establish and supervise bare-base facilities that provide food, fitness, lodging, sports management, recreation, laundry, mortuary services and field exchange operations to deployed personnel.

In performing their deployed duties, the job description shows services Airmen like Chun operate fixed, bare base and portable food facilities and equipment. They plan, prepare and adjust menus, and they determine resource availability, pricing and merchandise trends as well as carrying the ability to trains unit fitness monitors to conduct unit fitness evaluations.

In all the services functions, Chun has to maintain mandatory job knowledge in areas such as accounting procedures, management principles, merchandising, marketing, automated information systems, food service facility operations, subsistence management, requisition and issue procedures, menu planning and lodging operations, the job description states.

The 380th EFSS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing’s deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

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Story by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol

Airman 1st Class Erica Franks, material management journeyman with the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, moves boxes in the base service store, the Desert Depot, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia on April 7. In her deployed job, she supports all material management and supply efforts for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. She is deployed from 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and her hometown is Port Huron, Mich. Photo by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol

Airman 1st Class Erica Franks’ hometown of Port Huron, Mich., first became a city in 1857. Nestled on the southern shore of Lake Huron in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the city has been a hub of commercial trade ever since. Perhaps, too, that bustling Great Lakes town was an inspiration for Franks to join the Air Force and work in the material management career field.

Franks is a material management journeyman with the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. She is deployed from 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. In her deployed job, she supports all material management and supply efforts for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing through the base service store — the “Desert Depot.”

“During my deployment, I’ve actually been responsible for different two jobs,” Franks said. “When I first got here, I worked in flightline supply. We provided aircraft parts for any type of repairs that needed to be performed. During November and December alone, I ordered $5.9 million dollars in aircraft parts. Without these parts, the wing’s mission would come to a complete halt. Some of these parts were mission capability parts. These items are top-priority, mission essential parts that are rushed to the base to keep the 380th flying the air tasking order.

“The second half of my deployment has been spent working at the Desert Depot customer service area,” Franks said. “We order anything and everything needed by units to accomplish their missions. We order everything from paper to plungers. My favorite part is the interacting with the customers.”

In her career field, Franks is required to maintain qualification in preparing and maintaining documentation and records associated with inventory management actions, her official Air Force job description shows. Her job skills also include issuing and transferring property, conducting inventories and segregating and preparing property for storage as well as identifying items and condition of property.

“Without us, everything stops,” Franks said. “Our contribution helps keep the mission going – from plane parts to uniforms for our Airmen.”

Airman 1st Class Erica Franks, material management journeyman with the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, moves boxes in the base service store, the Desert Depot, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia on April 7. Photo by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol

Material management Airmen like Franks have to maintain mandatory knowledge in basic mathematics, supply policies and procedures, Air Force property accounting, stock and inventory control, accountability and responsibility, principles of property accounting through manual or automated data processing, storage methods, warehouse control (receipt, issue, and disposal) and materiel handling techniques.

They also must know methods of preparing and maintaining supply records, manual and automated supply accounting systems, logistics principles and interactions (supply, maintenance, transportation, and procurement), hazardous material and waste procedures; and supply management for contingency operations.

Now having served more than two years, Franks said she is proud to be serving in the Air Force and the military.

“Serving my country makes me feel proud that I’m doing something selfless and productive with my life,” Franks said. “Although I’m only here for six months, sacrificing my daily comforts at home, I know I’m doing my part to keep the American people free.”

The deployment to the 380th AEW is her first deployment. Franks said it has been a learning experience.

“I’ve learned a lot on this deployment about my job, about working with people, and about different cultures,” she said. “This deployment has helped me realize the full importance of my job, especially in the deployed area of responsibility. Being deployed to this part of the world has also opened my eyes and broadened my understanding on culture. I feel like this deployment has helped me grow as a person, also. It has matured me.”

The 380th ELRS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing’s deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

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Story by Master Sgt. Scott Sturkol