Rhein-Main AB handling record-setting arrivals, departures
Released: March 11, 2003
By 2nd Lt. Uriah Orland
469th Air Base Group Public Affairs
RHEIN-MAIN AIR BASE, Germany
(USAFENS) -- As the shortest month, February is not normally thought of as a
record-setting month, but the 726th Air Mobility Squadron here has made it one,
shattering several of its own records in the process.
In February 2003 the squadron handled 1,774aircraft.
The aerial port, which handles additional aircraft from the State
Department and other agencies, worked 952 arrivals and 915 departures throughout
the month. The logistics flight set
an AMC record with 607 C-17 Globemaster III launches, while maintaining an
overall reliability rate of 87.3 percent.
The passenger terminal was also extremely busy. Personnel
there were instrumental in processing 52,041 passengers, shattering the former AMC record set by
the 726th AMS in January by more than 10,000.
"It's truly a team effort," said 1st Lt. Eric McGreevy, 726th AMS passenger terminal officer in charge. "When the terminal gets swamped the whole squadron helps out."
Nearly everyone was in the terminal Feb. 7 to help process an
AMC-record of more than 3,700 passengers. The
passenger terminal currently processes more military passengers than
Baltimore-Washington International, Md. and Atlanta, Ga. airports combined.
With
such a high airflow the fuel has to flow too. The squadron's logistics flight began working with a
contractor in January and together they pumped nearly 15,100,000 gallons of fuel
in February.
"The
contract started in October 2002 and we didn't use them at all until January
2003 -- now we can't live without them," said Master Sgt. Todd Mighell, 726th
AMS maintenance senior controller. "That's equivalent to the amount of water
that flows over Niagara Falls in 25 seconds."
To
prove this point of need, during the month of January the contractors pumped
more than 1.2 million liters of fuel. While that's a feat in itself, on March 4 they pumped
1,082,944 liters; in just one day.
Of
course accomplishing feats like this, in every aspect of the job, can't be
done alone. The squadron called
upon others for help.
The
airmen permanently assigned to Rhein-Main have been augmented from bases
throughout the United States. There are currently 46 National Guard and Air
Force Reserve troops lending a hand.
"One thing that helped is we received a 24-man team from
McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey," said McGreevy. "They hit the ground
running and have been a huge success."
Eighteen airmen went to the passenger terminal and six are
working in the fleet services section.
The maintenance section is also currently augmented with 123
personnel from Charleston AFB, S.C. and McChord AFB, Wash.
In addition, a C-5 maintenance team of 11 Reservists from San Antonio,
Texas, is augmenting the group of 28 assigned aircraft maintainers and 12 supply
technicians.
The records are a phenomenal feat and a great morale boost
for the troops, according to Capt. Justin Wellen, 726th AMS aerial port officer
in charge.
"More than anything, I think the records validate the
shifts we work," he said. "We're working 12-hour
shifts, five days on and two off.
"This is rough, but if
we are moving record numbers of people and cargo, then the folks see they are
contributing to something important," he added.
"Their time is not spent being idle at work, there is a need for them,
and they are doing great work."
Maj.
Rusty Custer, 726th AMS maintenance officer, agreed that morale is running high.
"It gives the troops a sense of pride knowing they've contributed to the mission in such a huge way," he said. "These records provide tangible proof of their dedication and sacrifice, and they feel great knowing these new records happened on their watch; because of their efforts."
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