Military

86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) -- From handling cargo for the planes to checking IDs at the gate, Kaiserslautern Military Community night owls are there to do it all.  Most career fields set up 24-hour operations at one time or another for exercises, but then there are the few where this is a regular part of their job.

"When fuel is needed, whether it is 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., we are there to provide it. Most planes land and take fuel and have to leave within three hours, so we need to be there when they need it 24-hours a day, seven days a week," said Airman 1st Class Matthew Scanlon, 86th Logistic Readiness Squadron re-fueling equipment operator here.

Working night shifts can be both challenging and rewarding, yet in order for the mission to keep pressing on, these late-night work hours are essential.

"The hardest part of working nightshifts is adjusting my life around it. I'm so used to sleeping during the day, that even on my days off it's hard to get up and get things done that I need to; like shopping, paying bills and making appointments," said Staff Sgt. Andrew Marrone, 723rd Air Mobility Squadron air transportation specialist here.

Marrone monitors loading and unloading of cargo and passengers for his job, his hours - 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

"I've worked night shifts for about five of the eight years I've been in the Air Force. I like the hours mostly because of the people I work with - the majority of which are married and have families," said Marrone. "The sacrifices they make by working these hours while trying to spend time with their families are enormous."

Airman 1st Class Brandon LeRoy, 723rd AMS air transportation specialist, sums it up while saying, "mobility and flexibility are key to my job. Having only a day shift would mean we transport people only during certain hours and sometimes the world can't wait for 'normal business hours.'"

With all these hard working night owls, the mission is underway every hour on the clock.