Combat Truckers and Visitation Centers in Iraq
The Air Force is getting it done on the ground as well as in the air. There are three groups in the United States Air Force that handle joint expeditionary taskings – things like combat logistics, convoys, area security operations, detainee visitation, explosive detection and chapel ministry. These are all very important things. The 586th Air Expeditionary Group is one group from the Air Force getting it done in Iraq.
There is an Army-led task force at Camp Bucca, Iraq, that operates a Theater Internment Facility. The TIF houses thousands of detainees who have been identified as security risks to Multi-National Force-Iraq, the government of Iraq and the Iraqi people, the colonel explained.
“We support that mission by facilitating visits between family members and the detainees,” said Colonel Metzler. “That’s one of our two core missions that we perform there. We operate a first-class visitation center where we process over 1,800 detainee family members each week. Last year, we processed 132,000 visitors through our facility. Now, we’re especially vigilant in our screening procedures to protect ourselves but also to protect our task force counterparts and the detainees. We provide quality care and custody in a secure environment.”
The 586th commander explained the critical job the Airmen in the visitation section have.
“They have hundreds of daily contacts with visitors to Camp Bucca — the family members of detainees who sometimes have a jaded outlook of us and our goals in Iraq,” he said. “Through these thousands of contacts a week, we’ve learned one thing — that our most important weapons in countering negative views and gaining their support for our strategic objectives in Iraq is our values as Airmen and our values as Americans.”
“We treat everyone with dignity and respect, we have earned their respect as a result,” Colonel Metzler explained. “Our contact, our care, compassion and communication — and when I say communication, I mean our Airmen are learning to speak Arabic and they interact with these family members every day. All of these elements have been a key element in changing their attitudes for all these family members. By doing so, we increase the safety and security of the TIF, which is one of our core missions, and we gain their support and reconcile this population in support of Iraq’s future.”
Colonel Metzler said the Airmen of the 586th perfectly represent what Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz said about the Air Force being “all in” when it comes to the continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“There’s been some discussions in the past and commentary about our commitment to the current fight and whether we’re part of the ground fight,” Colonel Metzler said. “I can assure you that the Air Force is fully engaged. We’re contributing to the counterinsurgency effort here and there’s no question that Airmen are making a difference in this campaign in the air and on the ground.”
===================================================================
Air Show Delights Lowcountry Crowds
Pilots fly just inches from the other aircraft as the Navy Blue Angels soar through Beaufort skies May 14. Pilots log more than 1,400 flight hours in their careers and are considered to be among the best in the military. Photo by Cpl. Christopher Zahn
New York’s Fleet Week 2009
Marines from 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force New York, led by 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a simulated raid of Clove Lakes Park in Staten Island, N.Y., May 23. The event allowed area residents to walk through helicopters and view static displays of weapons. The 24th MEU has more than 900 Marines who are slated to showcase several events for New York’s Fleet Week 2009. Photo by Cpl. Patrick Fleischman
Memorial Day Ceremony From Ali Base
Senior Airman Jay Cason, 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, paces in front of the Ali Base memorial as a silent guard during Memorial Day ceremonies, May 25. Members of the 407th Air Expeditionary Group took shifts acting as silent guards for the memorial to show their respect for fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky
Naval Fleet Marine Force Course Teaches Marine Corps Skills in Iraq
Sailors in the Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officers Program, participate in a six-mile hike aboard Camp Al Taqaddum, Iraq, April 2. The hike is one of several events required to earn the Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officers Pin. Photo by Cpl. Bobbie A. Curtis
Aviation Combat Element Wrap Up
AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters sit on the flight deck of Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Jan. 12. Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 269, a section of the air combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, provides fire support, security and visual reconnaissance support to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), the ground combat element of SPMAGTF-A and other alliance forces. The Marines of the squadron have undergone a rigorous training program specifically tailored to SPMAGTF-A’s assigned mission. Photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones
330th Transportation Hand Over the Keys
The 330th Transportation Battalion Soldiers wait in formation during their transfer of authority ceremony at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, May 16. The 49th Trans. Bn. will assume command of the 330th Trans. Bn. mission and responsibilities providing logistics and distribution support throughout Iraq. Photo by Pfc. Amanda Tucker