LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
On March 5, nine dedicated Airmen returned home to their friends and families after executing more than 82 convoys, moving 97,000 tons of cargo over two million miles while sustaining 23 forward operating bases throughout Iraq and Kuwait.
Deployed to the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, these Air Force Combat Convoy Vehicle Operators remained heavily engaged in the joint fight.
"I feel we made a big impact in the war," said Staff Sgt. Michael Serrano, vehicle operator. "God speed to our fellow troops still out there."
Following a 35-day Basic Combat Convoy Course at Camp Anderson-Peters in San Antonio, Texas, the 633d Logistics Readiness Squadron natives (and one ACC A4 native) deployed to theatre and completed 20 days of Turn Over Authority training for outside-the-wire missions. The typical TOA extends the "boots on the ground" tour for the average Air Force Combat Convoy Operator to 200 days.
While in theatre, the 586 ELRS Airmen facilitated 57 Operation Enduring Freedom ammunition resupply missions, hauling 11,700 tons of supplies for "tip of the spear" combat operations in Afghanistan.
No matter what the mission required, they hauled everything, be it ammunition or mail, the Airmen of the 586 ELRS never faltered.
"When you make a promise to someone, you have to fulfill it," said Airman 1st Class David Erb, vehicle operator and dispatcher. "I promised one of the guys I would bring him back safely and made that same promise to his wife. It felt good to fulfill that promise ... Thank God nobody's life was lost, and (the team) worked well together."
While extending our Airmen beyond 179 days is not the optimal solution, this practice has been the best available mitigation tactic in terms of meeting mission requirements, while balancing available resources.
For nearly six years, Vehicle Operations Airmen have deployed to fill critical Army shortfalls, now referred to as Joint Sourcing Solution, and operate on some of the deadliest roadways in the world. These requirements, which began as Gun Truck Security Convoy Operations, has since evolved into the Line Haul Combat Convoy Operations.