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"Blue Tail Flies" aircrews support operations in Italy

Released: Feb. 27, 2003

By Staff Sgt. Heather Shelton
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) -- Five C-130 Hercules crews from the 37th Airlift Squadron, also known as the Blue Tail Flies, departed here Feb. 26 and only one is coming back. The mission: to deliver four relief aircrews to assist in support of real-world operations out of Sigonella, Italy.

"Our crews are highly motivated," said Maj. Michael Dickinson, 86th Airlift Wing operational plans chief, who was the pilot and aircraft commander for this mission. "This isn't just a training mission, but a real operational mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; it's our turn to serve."

The additional crews were flown to Sigonella to function as replacement crews to fly C-130s that may need to continue on to other destinations.

"We call them flows," said Capt. Aleta Goodwin, 37th AS central scheduler. "For example, a C-130 with a fully rested crew may leave Ramstein and fly to Italy. Once there, a crew that has been in crew rest will take over that aircraft and fly it to its next destination, while the original crew enters crew rest in Italy. This continues along the route until the aircraft is back at Ramstein, and begins again."

However, this mission was a little different. The flight crew that left here returned the same day. The crew was thankful for the "out and back" flight, because they have regular duties to perform at their assigned units.

Dickinson was but one of many crewmembers on the flight who is assigned outside the 37th AS.

"I'm only one of many crewmembers who are willing to dive in and help," said the Lawrence, Kan. native. "No matter what your job may be, we all have to work together as one big team to accomplish the Air Force mission - and we are."

Because members of the squadron have spent so much time training, actual flying missions are boosting morale.

"The hardest thing about being in alert status, is you may not know when you're flying next," added Dickinson. "But, the desire to fly, overrides problems with morale-everyone wants to be on the plane. Some people are actually canceling leave, just to be a part of the mission."

With increased flying missions to transport equipment and people to various locations around the globe, the support of the 37th AS has proved important.

"C-130s are vital to U.S. Air Forces in Europe's mission of getting equipment and manpower delivered when and where they're needed," Dickinson said. "We're afforded the opportunity to prove our tactical capabilities and show the world that we're always ready."