Chief reflects on 22nd AS

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Boyer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As the 22nd Airlift Squadron celebrates its history and legacy during its 70th anniversary celebration, there are some continuing that legacy at Travis and around the world.
"We move the war fighters, their equipment and anything they need to sustain their mission," said Chief Master Sgt. David O'Hara, 22nd AS chief enlisted manager and flight engineer.

The 22nd AS flies C-5 Galaxy missions for both peace and war time efforts.

"In June of 2011, we deployed to a forward location to airlift helicopters, personnel and equipment," O'Hara said. "We launched multiple missions each day with ease due to the great maintenance support. We proved that with the right crew and the right maintainers we can do awesome work with the mighty C-5."

As a chief, one of O'Hara's primary duties is to take care of the Airmen in his squadron. However, when he gets the opportunity, O'Hara enjoys getting back to his roots.

"I'm a flight engineer by trade, so when I have the privilege to fly a mission with my team, I operate the largest airframe in the U.S. inventory, and I love it," he said.

O'Hara said one of the most rewarding parts of his job with the 22nd AS is when they bring a plane filled with deployed Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors or Marines home.

"Watching those families reunite with their moms, dads, sons or daughters who just spent a year or more serving away from home is one of the greatest things anyone could experience," he said. "To be one of the ones who brought them home makes it a very rewarding job."

One of the most difficult parts of working in the 22nd AS are the long hours, sometimes pushing beyond 24 hours in a single shift, O'Hara said. However, the rewards of the job make the long days a privilege, he said.

"From a Guam typhoon relief mission in 1976 to Hurricane Katrina, we deliver relief and rescue supplies wherever and whenever they're needed," O'Hara said.
In addition to humanitarian missions, the 22nd AS has played a crucial role in the war on terrorism.

"We have airlifted millions of tons of war-fighting equipment into every area of responsibility in the world," O'Hara said. "From mine resistant ambush protection vehicles to helicopters, the C-5 has been a vital role in the war on terrorism."

From contingency operations to humanitarian missions, the 22nd AS answers our nation's call, he said.

While the missions are reward enough, O'Hara said the people of the 22nd, who he affectionately calls Mulies because of their mascot mule worn on their patch, are an added bonus.

"We all need a reason to come to work every morning," he said. "Some need money and some just need something to do. My reason is the people of the 22nd. The people I work with every day make my job easy, fun and exciting. The Mulies are my reason."