BEELiner 's support Global War on Terrorism

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristen Rohrer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  After deploying their entire squadron more than a month ago, the men and women of the 21st Airlift Squadron "BEELiners," have been proudly executing missions as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron out of Mildenhall Air Base, England.

Since deploying, the 817th EAS has played an integral part of the intra-theater airlift mission supporting the Global War on Terror, having flown 640 sorties, totaling 1,982 flight hours, carrying 9,636 passengers and 19.4 million pounds of cargo. Typical missions include: Theater Direct Delivery, Contingency and Channel Missions, Executive Travel and Aeromedical Evacuation.

Their dedication to the mission and hard work was evident during a recent aeromedical evacuation of a seriously wounded troop.

On March 14, a flight crew from the 817th EAS was tasked to complete the immediate evacuation of a severely burned 19-year-old soldier from Ramstein Air Base, Germany to San Antonio, Texas for medical treatment.

As the flight crew, consisting of Capt. Paul Bryant, 1st Lt. Chris Slauson, 1st Lt. Mike Johnson, Staff Sgt. Derrick Morely and Staff Sgt. Tri Nguyen, prepared to depart Ramstein, they were delayed as the patient's vital signs became unstable and his survival uncertain.

Eventually, the soldier's condition improved enough for take off. However, during the delay, the aircraft's fuel neared a dangerously low level and it became necessary for an air refueling to continue on to the U.S.

As Captain Bryant approached the tanker for the in-flight refueling, a master caution alerted the crew to a "hatch/access" problem. With limited time to find a solution, the crew quickly referenced flight checklists and safely completed the air refueling, thus, which allowed them to provide time-sensitive care to the patient.

Ultimately, the crew arrived at San Antonio, where the burn patient was to received life-saving treatment.

"The intra-theater airlift missions performed by both expeditionary airlift squadrons are the lifeline for frontline forces," said Lt. Col. William Spangenthal, 21st AS commander. "They provide direct delivery of combat personnel and equipment where they are needed most.

Furthermore, they are saving lives via aeromedical airlift evacuation and by taking convoys off dangerous roads. In short ... without the Air Force airlift ... the Global War on Terrorism would be far less effective."