Travis' reach extends around globe

  • Published
  • By Col. Steve Arquiette
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When you consider the variety of roles Team Travis Airmen perform and where they are performing them, it's truly amazing the impact our Airmen are having throughout the world. Wherever the U.S. military is engaged, you'll find Team Travis Airmen also engaged!

This fact was very evident last week during a C-5 Galaxy mission I flew from Travis to Iraq, delivering Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles for our ground forces. During that trip, I kept a lookout for Airmen from Team Travis already serving our nation and it's amazing where you find them. I found them in Charleston, Spain, Germany and of course the Iraq. It was great to say hello, hear how they're doing as well as thank them for serving away from home.

Though I saw quite a few, there are nearly 1,000 Team Travis Airmen spanning the globe currently. Airmen with the 21st Airlift Squadron, for example, are in Turkey, doing great things with our C-17 Globemaster IIIs. Our KC-10 Extender Airmen and maintainers are deployed in the Area of Responsibility as well, providing that essential air refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft. David Grant USAF Medical Center professionals are actively saving lives every day as they run the hospital in Afghanistan and other locations. Our aerial porters are keeping massive amounts of cargo moving; our POL Airmen are fueling the fight. Other Team Travis Airmen are supporting the U.S. Army. Explosive ordnance journeymen from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit here are working side by side with U.S. and Iraqi soldiers. They are giving new meaning to the term "close-air support," only now they're on the ground detonating IEDs and finding the bad guys. Team Travis is everywhere!

The 615th Contingency Response Wing and 349th Air Mobility Wing are also very busy contributing their share to the Global War on Terrorism. The 615th has 101 Airmen deployed while the 349th has 48 Reservists serving away from their civilian jobs.

Like you, I hear the stories of their success and the hard work they're doing. It's implied in the numbers, too. For example, each week the Air Force Times includes a deployment snapshot of the Air Force. Their list includes C-5, C-17 and KC-10 tanker sorties being flown in the CENTCOM AOR. No doubt those include missions flown by Airmen from the both the 60th and 349th. So you know they're making a difference. At the same time, the numbers of Airmen deploying from and returning to Travis remains steady as we continue to meet the needs of the combatant commanders. Airmen from maintenance, mission support, operations and medical - each are doing their part in the Global War on Terrorism.

Regardless of the numbers, though, Team Travis is truly engaged all over the globe. We have Airmen deployed in every major Unified Command, except AFRICOM, and I suspect that will change when that command emerges from its growth phase.

Having deployed to the AOR last year, I returned from my short C-5 trip knowing that the Airmen who leave here are contributing to the greater effort of which we are all a part. Regardless of their role, it is valuable, and they are making a difference.

At the same time, each deployment makes each Airman a better Airman. I realize some may question that, especially if you've deployed several times. However, regardless of the number of deployments, the experiences and knowledge each brings back increases the fund of team wisdom which benefits everyone, and Team Travis along with the Air Force are truly better for it!