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Deployed total force unit setting records in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tabitha Dupas
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The 815th Airlift Squadron is continuing to set records as part of the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, a total force integrated unit at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

In January, the 772nd EAS flew 51 aerial delivery missions, besting a previous record of 40 in one month. The 815th, 345th, and 41st Airlift Squadrons combined to achieve the mark.

"It feels good to be setting records, but what you'll find with most of the guys here is that it doesn't matter if you break a record, it matters that you complete the mission and get the supplies where they need to go so we can help those guys on the ground," said Lt. Col. Walt Ord, pilot from the 815th AS and 772nd aircraft commander who led the crew that made the 51st drop.

The 772nd EAS delivered more than 1.1 million pounds of cargo, moved close to 4,000 passengers, flew more than 420 sorties during 400 flight hours in January. They also achieved a 99 percent aerial delivery recovery rate, well above the 90 percent rate the Army expects, said Lt. Col. Frank Poukner, 815th AS.

The 815th and 345th airlift squadrons became the first Total Force Integration C-130J unit in the Air Force in August 2010.  

"The total force integration has helped both squadron," said Colonel Poukner. "The active duty tends to be a little younger and they can learn from the experience of the 815th (AS)," he said. "At the same time, the 345th has new guys bringing fresh ideas from other squadrons.

"Our guys are working hard," said Colonel Poukner. "Everyone has the can-do attitude toward doing what has to be done to get the mission accomplished. It is all due to the teamwork of everyone involved from maintenance to loadmasters to pilots."

(Editor's note: Senior Airmen Melissa B. White contributed to this story.)