News>Altus AFB assists AMC, Fort Sill to deploy defense systems in support of NATO
Story at a Glance
• Airmen of the "Mighty 97th" are providing support for the delivery of troops and defense systems to Turkey. • The deployment follows U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's Dec. 14, 2012 order.
Photos
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Members of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, Kentucky Air Guard Contingency Response Group, 31st Air Defense Artillery Army Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla. and 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, W. Va., unload an M984 Wrecker from a 167th AW C-5 Galaxy on the Altus AFB flight line, Jan. 4, 2013. The units joined forces to deploy batteries of Patriot-air-defense systems, more than two million pounds of equipment and about 300 personnel from 3-2 Air Defense Artillery Battalion to Turkey in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)
Lawton, Okla. – Staff Sgt. Xavier Drake, 97th Security Forces Squadron base defense operations controller, drives an Air Force Humvee as part of a convoy from Fort Sill, Okla. to Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Jan. 3, 2013. Through multiple convoys, Soldiers from the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Sill, drove more than two million pounds of equipment to Altus AFB to prepare for a deployment to Turkey. The deployment followed U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s orders Dec. 14, 2012 to deploy batteries of Patriot-air-defense systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenneth W. Norman / Released)
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Senior Master Sgt. Mark Snyder, 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, W. Va. loadmaster assists Sgt. Daniel Hanke, Fort Sill Unit Movement Office augmentee, chain down an M983 Truck inside a 167th AW C-5 Galaxy on the Altus AFB flight line, Jan. 4, 2013. Members of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, Kentucky Air Guard Contingency Response Group, 31st Air Defense Artillery Army Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla. and 167th AW, joined forces to deploy batteries of Patriot-air-defense systems, more than two million pounds of equipment and about 300 personnel from 3-2 Air Defense Artillery Battalion to Turkey in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland/ Released)
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Airman Mikal Moore, Kentucky Air Guard Contingency Response Group aerial porter, chains down an M983 Truck inside a C-5 Galaxy from the 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, W. Va., on the Altus AFB flight line, Jan. 4, 2013. Members of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, Kentucky Air Guard CRG, 31st Air Defense Artillery Army Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla. and 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, W. Va., joined forces to deploy batteries of Patriot-air-defense systems, more than two million pounds of equipment and about 300 personnel from 3-2 Air Defense Artillery Battalion to Turkey in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – A 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, W. Va. flight crew reviews pre-flight checklists in the cockpit of a 167th AW C-5 Galaxy on the Altus AFB flight line, Jan. 4, 2013. Members of the 97th Air Mobility Wing, Kentucky Air Guard Contingency Response Group, 31st Air Defense Artillery Army Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla. and 167th AW joined forces to deploy batteries of Patriot-air-defense systems to de-escalate the situation along the Turkey-Syrian border. The deployment followed U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s orders Dec. 14, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Soldiers from the 31st Air Defense Artillery Army Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla., board a 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, W. Va. C-5 Galaxy on the Altus AFB flight line, Jan. 4, 2013. The soldiers were deployed along with Patriot-air-defense systems to de-escalate the situation along the Turkey-Syrian border. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / Released)
by 1st Lt. Katie Cousins
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
1/8/2013 - ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Airmen of the "Mighty 97th" are providing support for the delivery of troops and defense systems to Turkey.
The 97th Air Mobility Wing, the 31st Air Defense Artillery Army Brigade out of Fort Sill, Okla., and various units from Air Mobility Command joined forces to deploy Patriot missile batteries in support of NATO efforts to augment Turkey's self-defense capabilities.
The deployment follows U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's Dec. 14, 2012 order to deploy the batteries to de-escalate the situation along the Turkey-Syrian border, while demonstrating Alliance solidarity and resolve.
Three Patriot batteries, more than two million pounds of equipment and about 400 personnel from 3-2 Air Defense Artillery Battalion elements will be transported by Air Mobility Command and Air Education and Training Command aircraft.
Airmen from Altus AFB, Charleston AFB, S.C; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Travis AFB, Calif.; reserve units from Joint Base San Antonio, Texas and Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., and a Kentucky Air Guard Contingency Response Group unit are providing a timely and safe delivery of troops and cargo throughout the 24-hour-a-day operation.
The 58th Airlift Squadron, 97th Security Forces Squadron, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the 97th Maintenance Directorate and other units, ensured that Altus AFB was ready to perform.
The 58th AS powered up C-17 Globemaster III's and prepared aircrews to complete their assigned missions.
"Here at Altus AFB, our focus is on training Airmen, and ensuring we are ready to support the U.S. by deploying personnel and equipment at a moment's notice," said Col. Anthony Krawietz, 97th AMW commander.
Despite the 97th AMW's primary mission of training airlift and air refueling crews, the wing has deployed its members to support a number of worldwide contingencies and relief operations, the last occurring in 2008 in response to Hurricane Ike. The 97th AMW has also flown recent missions in support of humanitarian operations in Haiti.
"A deployment out of Altus AFB is not something you see often, but we are always prepared for the call. We, along with our Army brethren just down the road, are proud to be a part of the U.S. effort in supporting the defense of our Allies," said Krawietz.
