Military

Deployed troops provide real-world support
Airmen back-fill base personnel during FOAL EAGLE exercise

By Senior Airman Andrew Svoboda
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

TAEGU AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA -- Operational support troops deployed from various Pacific Air Forces bases helped the permanent-party 607th Support Squadron here provide support for an increased number of people and assets also deployed here for FOAL EAGLE 2003.

These support airmen were not here to play in the exercise, but provide real-world support to the base's small permanent party in a number of fields.

Air Force support specialties deployed were explosive ordnance disposal, fuels, security police, transportation and services.

To ensure munitions were handled safely, a small, mobile explosive ordnance disposal unit from Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea was deployed here. Like firefighters, their job is mostly reactive, meaning they're called in the event of an emergency.

"When we first arrived, we went to the flightline and inspected aircraft munitions," said Tech. Sgt. Ralph Armanta, EOD team chief. "We get called to work if there's an emergency like a hung flare."

A hung flare is live ordnance that does not shoot from the aircraft correctly. It's EOD's job to disarm it.

In their downtime, the EOD troops work on their annual training requirements with constant studying and training.

Petroleum, oil and lubricants troops from Kunsan and Osan are deployed to service aircraft during the exercise.

"Although these troops all come from fighter bases, the work they're doing here is mostly no different than what they do at their home stations," said Tech. Sgt. Steven DeGregorio, fuels cadre team leader out of Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. "Even at those bases, transient aircraft land, and these troops get the experience fueling all types of aircraft.

While deployed here, they did get the opportunity to fill cryogenic carts with liquid oxygen used for aircrews, he added. "At their home stations, many POL (Petroleum, Oil, Lubricant) troops wouldn't get the opportunity to do this unless they worked in the lab section."

During the exercise, the POL troops work in conjunction with the flying schedule.

"Any time the 353rd Special Operations Group wants fuel, we've got to be ready to service them," said Sergeant DeGregorio. "These guys have been doing an outstanding job."

Permanent-party security forces are the largest flight in the 607th SPTS, however they also received additional support. A team deployed from Kunsan to protect and defend added resources at the installation.

"Even though we're not playing in the exercise, we're spread thin and working a more strenuous schedule during the exercise," said Tech. Sgt. James Fulton, 607th Security Forces Flight. "Without the additional troops, we wouldn't be able give our guys a day off, so we appreciate the help from our fellow defenders."

The increased number of people for the exercise also created a need for more services troops. A crew from Kadena Air Base, Japan, deployed for added support in gym, lodging, and other Services facilities.

"Since the number of people on base increased significantly, the recreation center expanded its hours and it was decided that someone should be on staff in the gym 24 hours a day," said Master Sgt. James Brant, Services cadre member from Kadena Air Base, Japan.

"We back-filled the four services members usually assigned here, and the NAF employees usually work in the facilities," Brant said.

Transportation troops from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, worked 12-hour shifts covering a variety of jobs. Before the backup troops arrived, cadre TRANS member Tech. Sgt. Darryl W. Sample, admits he was a little worried.

"We were very busy in the beginning," he said.

The support troops worked as maintainers, operators and troop transporters. Troops performed real-world medical runs to Camp Walker, brought maintenance troops to aircraft and stood ready to move battle staff in the event they relocated.

The TRANS troops faced a number of challenges they wouldn't typically see at their home station.

"The guys from Japan had to adjust to driving on the other side of the road in very little time," said Sergeant Sample.

"They also had to use professional awareness driving in Korea for the first time," he added. Professional awareness driving means staying alert and keeping your eyes on the road.

The maintainers were working with fewer tools than they have at their home stations, and made mostly field repairs as they only had the tools they arrived with.

Despite these challenges, the troops were able to handle both real-world and exercise situations.

"This is a good working, cohesive group," said Sergeant Sample. "By keeping a positive attitude, we've accomplished a lot." (PACAFNS)