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12th Air Force airmen return from war

Air Combat Command News

Release Date: 5/27/2003

By 1st Lt. Sarah Schwennesen 12th Air Force Public Affairs

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (ACCNS) -- Airmen from the 12th Air Force returned home here recently to comparatively little fanfare, but much appreciation for a job well done in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Many airmen returned home on individual commercial airline flights and were greeted by family members and co-workers while many remain deployed.

In February, the 12th Air Force sent airmen from the headquarters staff, personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics and communications to assist in the war to rid Iraq of Saddam Hussein's regime. Many worked in the Combined Air Operations Center with 8th and 9th Air Forces.

"All of the 12th Air Force members who deployed were outstanding professionals, highly dedicated to their duties and training, which enabled them to seamlessly operate within the CAOC," said Col. Mark Larson, the CAOC combat operations chief. The CAOC served as the nerve center for all air operations that went on during the war.

Twelfth Air Force airmen planned and executed the air tasking orders, which designated every action of every aircraft each day of the war. Their efforts produced more than 1,900 sorties flown daily.

"It was a very challenging environment, but our training allowed us to operate effectively and succeed," said Lt. Col. Maureen Murphy, the COAC Air Defense senior officer. "The war moved so fast that coordination was critical and proved vital to our successes."

Coalition partners such as Great Britain and Australia also worked in the CAOC alongside 12th Air Force members.

"This was the largest coalition operation that I have participated in. The coalition coordination process was the best, bar-none," Colonel Murphy said.

Senior Airman Karen Abplanalp, a CAOC Defensive Duty technician, said she experienced her first deployment during OIF. She served as a liaison between the CAOC and airborne command and control platforms.

"I got trained before leaving and had prior experience doing this job, which helped me immensely," said Airman Abplanalp. "This was my first real-world experience and it was very challenging, but I am glad I did it. It was a great experience."

"It is good to be home," she said.