2005: A 910th year for the history books Published Jan. 12, 2006 By Master Sgt. Bryan Ripple 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, OHIO -- The year 2005 proved to be a year for the history books of the 910th Airlift Wing. It was a year of pride, personal commitment and sacrifice by the Citizen Airmen, Sailors and Marines serving here. The primary mission of the air base is to facilitate training of reservists who need to be ready to serve anytime, anywhere. That they have done! These men and women come from all walks of life and occupations such as postal workers, doctors, autoworkers, policemen, firemen, and people from many other professional backgrounds who span not only the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, but much of Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. AIR BASE SURVIVES BRAC In May Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld released his list of military base closure and realignment recommendations to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. The list did not include any adverse affects for Youngstown Air Reserve Station, but area citizens from both the public and private sectors stood strong in their continued support of the base—just in case the 910th was added at a later date. When the final BRAC list was made public in September, the 910th was still not included. The unwavering support the community gives the air base is not taken for granted. “On behalf of the men and women of the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, I want to thank the local community for standing shoulder to shoulder with us during one of the most challenging and dynamic years in the history of our Airlift Wing. Many consider our base one of the finest Air Force Reserve Command installations in the country; their praise holds no merit without including all of the wonderful people whom support this base,” said Col. Timothy J. Thomson, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing. Col. Thomson continued by saying “In 2005, Youngstown Air Reserve Station avoided the threat of base closure by the BRAC Commission strengthening the Valley as a whole through the preservation of jobs and other positive economic impact. Here at the 910th we strongly believe that we can provide the United States Air Force with a unique and highly valuable air base and airlift mission while maintaining a cooperative and favorable relationship with the surrounding communities in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys.” A BUSY AIRLIFT MISSION In July more than 90 Air Force Reservists from the 757th Airlift Squadron, one of the two flying squadrons assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing, were honored for combat missions their unit flew while supporting the ongoing War on Terrorism. The 757th reservists were called to active duty from February 27, 2003 to August 31, 2004 supporting six major military operations including Operations Joint Forge, Coronet Oak, Focus Relief, Shining Express, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Their actual deployment locations included at least 25 countries throughout Europe, Southwest Asia, and the African continent. Over the course of this period the C-130 aircrew members transported more than 26,000 people and more than 5,000 tons of cargo on at least 3,400 flying missions, of which at least 2,300 were actual combat missions. All together, the squadron flew more than 4,800 hours during its period of activation. Col. Thomson presented 86 Air Medals and 11 Aerial Achievement Medals to 59 aircrew members of the unit. In December, more than 90 Air Force Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 773rd Airlift Squadron, the second flying squadron assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing, were honored here for their contributions to the War on Terrorism. These reservists were called to active duty from December 1, 2003 to November 30, 2005 supporting six major military operations including Operations Joint Forge, Coronet Oak, Focus Relief, Shining Express, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Their deployment locations included at least 25 countries throughout Europe, Southwest Asia, and the African continent. Over the course of this period the C-130 aircrew members transported more than 50,000 people and more than 9,000 tons of cargo on at least 5,500 flying missions, of which at least 4,500 were actual combat missions. All together, the squadron flew more than 6,000 hours during its period of activation. Col. Thomson presented 220 Air Medals and 10 Aerial Achievement Medals to 80 aircrew members of the 773rd. The 910th and the surrounding community; Air Force Reservists, employers, families, friends and neighbors, have collectively faced the challenges of the largest military activations in the base's history and multiple deployments throughout South West Asia and Europe. In 2005, those who served so valiantly in harm's way have all come home safely from their overseas duty and the majority have been released from mandatory active duty. Reservists from the 910th continue to fight the Global War on Terror in volunteer status while giving of their valuable time away from their families in the defense of our nation. Home station Air Force Reserve aircrew members maintained their training proficiency as well while flying locally nearly every day of the week to include training weekends aboard the C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing. These aircrew members continued practicing local low-level flying operations as well as other types of flying training to include night vision goggle training. More than 907 practice landings were performed on the 3,500-foot assault landing strip owned by the 910th. AERIAL SPRAY RESPONDS TO HURRICANES KATRINA/RITA Unique to the 910th Airlift Wing, the Aerial Spray mission remains the only full-time, fixed-wing aerial spray unit in the Department of Defense (DOD). Hurricanes Katrina and Rita brought mass devastation to the Gulf region of the United States in late August and in September 2005. The monster storms and subsequent flooding also resulted in a huge aerial spray mission requirement to keep diseases from rampantly spreading across the region due to insect bites. Men and women from the 910th aerial spray mission deployed to Duke Field, Fla., to set up a base of operations to combat the potential deadly spread of infectious diseases from insect bites. When the mission concluded, aircrew members, aircraft maintenance personnel, aerial spray maintenance personnel, and operations support personnel had helped the people of Louisiana and Texas by spraying more than 2.8 million acres. This equates to 4,501 square miles, or approximately an area the size of Connecticut. Fourteen thousand gallons of pesticide were used during the missions at a cost of $1.6 million. The missions encompassed 191.4 total flying hours, with 46.5 hours of actual “spray on” time while flying at 150 feet above ground level. This was the largest tasking the aerial spray mission has had since its beginning in 1973. AERIAL SPRAY RESEARCH AND TRAINING ALSO CONTINUES Staffed by Entomologists and professional research scientists, the 910th continues to host and teach the only DOD Aerial Application of Pesticide course, which certifies DOD members for contingencies and other operations. Also, despite the limited resources due to wartime taskings during FY 2005, the Aerial Spray mission flew 71 sorties and 231.9 flying hours while spraying 3.08 million acres, primarily for vector and nuisance fly and mosquito control and herbicide applications for vegetation control. Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and the city of Minot were sprayed for mosquito control July 19-20 after the area received more than 10 inches of rain in June. The mission was very successful there and will probably continue in future years as required by officials there. YOU CAN’T DO ALL THIS UNLESS YOUR PLANES CAN FLY The 910th Maintenance Group had 122 hard working men and women activated in 2005 during deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The group also had another 207 Air Force Reserve aircraft maintenance technicians deployed as volunteers. This number included supporting several Aerospace Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and special assignments such as providing maintenance instructors for the newly formed Iraqi C-130 unit. The Maintenance Group also provided personnel to support the Centralized Intermediate Repair Facility (CIRF) at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. This engine and propeller repair facility was inundated with engines and propellers from CENTAF and 910th maintenance support was hugely important to them. The 910th also provided the facility with spare propellers and engines to enhance their supply. The 910th MXG had personnel deployed all over Europe and both OEF and OIF arenas during 2005 while also supporting several stateside aircraft maintenance units that were short of workers. The 910th MXG also assisted the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., by conducting two of their Isochronal Inspections on 403rd Wing Hurricane Hunter C-130s in preparation for the busy 2005 Hurricane Season and continued support of the Coronet Oak mission in Central and South America as well as Operation Joint Forge throughout Europe. In 2005, all 12 of the 910th C-130 aircraft deployed in support of OEF or OIF missions. During that time the 910th aircraft held a Mission Capable rate of 89.2 percent which is 10 percent higher than the AFRC or AF marker. This was accomplished despite the constant challenges of intense desert heat, sand and a high number of flying hours on the engines. This is a tribute to the dedicated men and women of the aircraft maintenance arena in support of our aircrews and the global War on Terrorism. AIR BASE A STRONG, VIABLE TRAINING LOCATION The Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport provides an outstanding training location for the 910th Airlift Wing C-130s as well as other non-Youngstown based military C-130 cargo planes and KC-135 air refueling planes from Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units spanning across the United States. The airport provides an airfield perfectly suited to meet the demands of the 910th fleet and the other types of aviation activity using the airport. In addition, since the airspace is not congested, and is readily available for military air operations at the airport, the 910th and other units highly regard the airport as an important training location. In 2005 the base had more than $5 million in military construction projects at various stages of design and construction. Projects included sprinkler systems and repairs for base lodging, road and parking lot maintenance, fire suppression system upgrades for aircraft hangars, Night Vision Goggle lighting systems for runways, and force protection projects at the main gate including a new visitor’s center and security guard facility. A combined security forces squadron facility was also completed during the year to provide office and training space for all members of the security forces on base. Environmental compliance continued to be a top priority. Base wide inspections were accomplished to keep compliant with all environmental laws and regulations. In December the base self-declared having an operational Environmental Management System (EMS) in place. This system further ensures the base and surrounding community environment is proactively protected by all base operating functions. A comprehensive energy audit was performed on 41 buildings totaling 576,023 square feet. A final audit report was received in June 2005. Projects were identified to reduce energy consumption with pay backs not exceeding nine years. A lighting project is currently under construction with a pay back time of only 3.2 years. Such studies and projects will continue to reduce the cost of utilities at the installation. Base facilities and infrastructure continue to be maintained at a very high standard. This standard of quality has impressed visitors from the local community as well as high-ranking officials from the Air Force. The condition, quality, appearance, and operational efficiency of base facilities helped keep the installation off the list of base BRAC closures. A $700,000 night-vision goggle landing system was completed in November 2005. Night vision lighting was put in at both ends of the airport’s main runway and at both ends of the reserve station’s assault runway. The airport’s tower can turn off the standard landing lights and turn on the night vision lights with the flick of a switch. The project was paid for by the Air Force Reserve and will make the air base an even more attractive training location for military aircrews to train using night vision goggles, which are required on many missions in hostile areas such as Afghanistan and Iraq. BASE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY NEEDS The base fire department continues to give crash and rescue services to the entire airfield for military, commercial, and private aircraft. Through mutual aid agreements the department has responded to numerous off-base fires and HAZMAT incidents. Base firefighters completed a Confined Spaces Rescue—Technician Level class this year ensuring each shift has a fully qualified Confined Spaces Rescue Team. The majority of the fire department staff are now trained to the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic level which ensures the department can respond with a fully qualified EMS crew to every emergency call. MILITARY SUPPORT ROLES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT In 2005, men and women of the 910th Airlift Wing, with specialties such as Aircraft Maintenance, Security Forces, Transportation, Civil Engineering, Intelligence, Avionics, Public Affairs, Culinary Arts, Supply, Communications, and Personnel have deployed in support of contingency and humanitarian relief operations all over the world to places such as Kuwait, Turkey, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, Russia, Sudan, and many other countries. These missions required the reservists to be away from their families and full-time jobs for over a combined 122,000 days to support their active duty Air Force counterparts as part of the international Aerospace Expeditionary Force. Air Force Reserve crews flew better than 40 percent of the airlift missions on these assignments, and significantly bolstered the ground troops at all levels of support and command. The men and women of the 910th Security Forces Squadron are currently competing with another Security Forces Squadron in New Jersey for the title of best Air Force Reserve Command SF unit. In addition the 910th SFS has a representative in the hunt for a top individual award in the Air Force SF competition. He is 1st Lt. Nathan List who is representing Air Force Reserve Command in the traditional reservist company grade officer category. In addition, Tech. Sgt. William McAdoo of the 910th SFS was selected as the winner of the 2005 AFRC fulltime SF NCO award and Senior Airman Jessica Herold took first place in the AFRC fulltime SF airman category. The 910th is proud to have such top-notch personnel as part of its Security Forces team. Without the tremendous support reservists from Youngstown Air Reserve Station receive from their families and employers, this incredible amount of contribution to our nation’s defense would not be possible. FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER STAFF MAINTAINS FAMILY TIES Staff members of the 910th Family Support Center made 24,560 contacts with active and reserve military personnel in the area during 2005 including 3,127 information and referral sessions, 34 crisis assistance events, and more than 20 deployment and reunion events. Family Support technicians maintain communication with family members of deployed military members during their absence from home. If problems arise, they are there to help, which can lessen stress levels felt by deployed reservists and their families. NAVAL/MARINE CORPS RESERVE CENTER RESERVISTS ANSWER CALL AS WELL Also, the 24 full-time and 220 traditional reservists assigned to the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center on base contributed to the nation’s defense by mobilizing 34 reservists during 2005 in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. These sailors and marines deployed to countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain, as well as to stateside locations for homeland security duties. Reservists from the Naval Seabees unit on base also responded by volunteering to go to Louisiana to provide relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Naval and Marine Corps reservists also continually engage in community outreach civil engineering projects such as refurbishing community parks, recreational areas, and veteran’s memorial projects in local communities as well as conducting on-going training with Air Force Reservists at the 910th such as weapons qualification, heavy equipment operation and Chemical/Biological Warfare protection training. AIR BASE ECONOMIC IMPACT IMPORTANT TO ECONOMY The 910th Airlift Wing’s economic impact infuses more than $110 million into the local economy including the military and civilian payroll, the jobs created for area contractors who work at the base, and the number of indirect jobs created in the local community as a result of the existence of the base. AIR BASE IS ALSO A GOOD NEIGHBOR The wing also conducts an active community relations program. Tour groups may visit the base from April through October by contacting the 910th Public Affairs office. In 2005, more than 1,530 tour group members were given an up-close look at the mission of the 910th during their visit to the base including four chronically ill children who are patients at Tod Children’s Hospital in Youngstown and were selected as a “Pilots for a Day.” Members of the 910th Security Forces Squadron conducted an Air Force Assistance Fund drive during the year and raised more than $6,300 in donations toward the fund which helps Air Force families in need. The squadron also conducted a Joint Services Youth Camp in August at the base for children of military families and a Canine Police Dog Competition in September for local law enforcement agencies. The 910th also conducts a Speaker’s Bureau of military members who are able to go out into the community to talk to various groups about the Air Force Reserve and their military duties. In addition, the 910th also has a very active Honor Guard to provide honors to veterans at funerals and also to perform during ceremonies at special events. Members of the 910th also joined in the Toys for Tots effort along with the Marine Corps Reservists on base. All together, $3,000 was raised by members of the 910th to purchase new toys for area children. The pride, attitude, and integrity of the nearly 2,000 local Airmen, Sailors, Marines, civilians, and contractors of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station lead the way in our country’s defense.