6 AS members set to deploy Published Aug. 17, 2007 By 2nd Lt. Michael Hogg 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Members of the 6th Airlift Squadron are set to deploy later this month in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The 6 AS will deploy with members from the 305th Operations Group, 305th Mission Support Group and the Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron. Combined, they will make up the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. "This is a great opportunity for Team McGuire to directly support the warfighter," said Lt. Col. Joseph Wolfer, 6 AS commander. Mission readiness at home will not be affected by this deployment. The 732 AS and other C-17 squadrons will be tasked with the stateside missions normally carried out by the 6 AS, according to the 2 EAS Concept of Operations. The new way of operating and deploying C-17s has kept the crews home more often. However, for many members of the 6 AS, this will be the first time experiencing this length of separation from their families. "To help lessen the impact, we have developed a strong support network and relationship with the family support center, specifically Erica Zeiger, FSC community readiness consultant, as well as our own Maj. John Sedlacek, 6th AS Assistant Director of Operations, who will remain behind," said Colonel Wolfer. This deployment is unique because it will be 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. "Despite the challenges this brings, the 6 AS has a fully qualified compliment of aircrew and administrative staff and does not anticipate any major issues with completing the mission," said Capt. Myers Gray, 6 AS assistant director of operations.