573rd GSS spans globe

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 573rd Global Support Squadron is unlike many of the units on Travis.

It does not directly support the 60th Air Mobility Wing. It supports the 621st Contingency Response Wing by being prepared to deploy contingency response forces in a moment's notice.

"As the commander, I have the pleasure of leading the finest team in the 621st CRW," said Lt. Col. Christopher Lambert, 573rd GSS commander. "We provide unique capabilities and expertise supporting contingency response operations across the globe."

The 573rd GSS deploys contingency response forces to locations where the en-route support for Air Mobility Command's global air mobility operations is insufficient or nonexistent.

"We are the customer service of the CRW," said Staff Sgt. Paul Viera, 573rd GSS Unit Deployment manager and loadmaster. "We fulfill the needs of our contingency response groups. The unit is like a tool box. Whatever asset is needed for a particular mission, the CRW can pull one of us and handle a mission without being dependent on other units."

In garrison, the GSS manages and maintains the wing's assigned equipment as well as facilitating training for and equipping 621st CRW's assigned personnel.

"With 27 different (Air Force Specialty Codes) personnel assigned to our unit, there is no mission we cannot handle," said Master Sgt. Khafiz Gondry, 573rd GSS support flight supervisor. "When our CRGs go on alert, we are on alert. Our No. 1 priority is readiness. We are not a reactive unit by any means. If we receive a call, we can have the deploying personnel and equipment on their way in approximately 12 hours, if need be."

Gondry said that among the 27 different AFSCs, the squadron has 135 personnel who handle and care for the wing's weapons, vehicle operations, unit deployment managing and various other functions that give members different opportunities that would normally not be available in their primary career fields.

The 621st CRW is split between Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and Travis with three contingency groups at each base.

"Being in the GSS is unlike any organization that I have ever been in," Viera said. "Seeing all of the mixes of AFSCs working together and witnessing what they actually do is an eye opener. You gain a whole new respect for others and their respective career fields."

Viera said that being the UDM, as opposed to his normal loadmaster responsibilities, has given him a new appreciation to the work that is put into a person who is deploying.

"I'm used to being the person deploying and now being charged with the duty of getting a person squared away and ready to step out the door prepared is rewarding in itself," Viera said. "The best is when they get back from their deployment knowing that I enabled them to get their mission complete. I believe everyone here is ready for the challenges that come are way and like doing the job."