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6th Airlift Squadron returns from deployment

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Michael Hogg
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. --  The 6th Airlift Squadron returned 150 of its members who were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 6th AS deployed with members from the 305th Operations Group, 305th Mission Support Group and the Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron. Combined, they made up the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

"This deployment was very successful, both for the 6th Airlift Squadron and Team McGuire," said Lt. Col. Joseph Wolfer, 6th AS commander. "We have flown 600 percent more in the last four months than our squadron flew in all of 2006. We played an important role in delivering troops and equipment to both Iraq and Afghanistan."

The new way of operating and deploying C-17s has kept the crews home more often. However, for many members of the 6th AS, this was the first time experiencing this length of separation from their families.

"To help lessen the impact, we developed a strong support network and relationship with the (Airman and Family Readiness Center) as well as our own Maj. John Sedlacek, 6th AS assistant director of operations, who remained behind," said Colonel Wolfer.

This deployment was unique because it was the first single-squadron C-17 deployment in the Air Force. C-17 squadron deployments usually come out of Charleston Air Force Base, N.C., or McChord Air Force Base, Wash., which both have four C-17 active-duty squadrons compared to McGuire's one.

"This squadron delivered the troops that made success in Iraq possible and then took the fight to the enemy in Afghanistan. Individually, these pilots and loadmasters have become the most tactically proficient C-17 crew force in the world. The squadron lived up to the proud heritage as the Air Force's oldest airlift squadron," said Colonel Wolfer.