Puerto Rico ANG supports airlift in Europe
USAFE News Service
Release Date: 11/22/2002
By Airman Nicole Spence 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) -- A Puerto Rico Air National Guard C-130 unit finishes the last few weeks of its Air and Space Expeditionary Force rotation here.
The mission here of the 156th Airlift Wing, which arrived in October, as part of the Delta Squadron, is to augment the local flying units by giving an extra hand when it is needed.
They enhance combat readiness of the ground support forces and aircrews by performing everything from records management to dining facility services to aircraft maintenance.
One interesting aspect of the tactical airlift's job is to help planes land on odd runways. For instance, short runways are one of their specialties.
"We are a unique group with Puerto Ricans making up 90 percent of the team," said Maj. Nestor Barreto, 156th AW plans and programs officer. "We are the original and probably the only group with Spanish as the primary language and English the secondary."
Some of their jobs are the same in Germany as in Puerto Rico, but differ in a few ways.
"Here we are doing our real mission, not just practicing like at home. We actually get to travel on the aircraft," said Tech. Sgt. Jose Lacu, 156th AW C-13- crew chief.
Lacu provides support by inspecting everything on the plane to prepare for flight.
In 1998, the 156th AW converted from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the C-130 Hercules aircraft. They now boast about participation in two AEF deployments, four Coronet Oak rotations and numerous Guard airlift missions in Europe, Central and South America and Alaska.
They even support Operation Joint Forge, the NATO peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is run by Air Force Reserve and Guard units
Another thing that brings out their originality is the fact they have civilian jobs on the side.
Normally, the individuals work one weekend a month. The rest of the time, they have civilian jobs to tend to, said Barreto. They were notified one year in advance, so they had time to get everything in order, including time off with their civilian employers.
Germany is a new environment for the wing, a lot cooler than the warm, humid climate they are used to in Puerto Rico.
"Although it's a different environment, everyone is motivated.
"The men and women are taking advantage of their two months here, working and getting all the traveling and sight seeing done that they can. Morale is definitely high," said Barreto.
Getting the mission accomplished makes coming to Germany worthwhile, Lacu said.
"Everyday that we see the planes returning safely, we know we're successful in our mission," said Lacu. "Germany is a wonderful place to be and work."
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