Military

CONSTANTA, Romania (USAFENS) - War doesn't just happen during the day - it happens at night too. That's why the 37th Airlift Squadron focuses on night-vision training to ensure their war-fighting capabilities are just as sharp during the evening as they are during daylight hours.

While the squadron was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, routine training was difficult to accomplish. To keep up with their night-flying requirements, flight crews were tasked to carry out the majority of their semi-annual events in a four-week period, said Capt. Dan Begin, C-130 pilot, 37th AS chief of tactics and mission commander for the training exercise - Operation Blue Knights.

"We began the training June 1 and planned to train six to 12, six-person crews each week during a four-week period," Begin said. "The training allowed our crews to hone their flying skills in low to no light flying environments, including Night Vision Goggle takeoffs and landings and airdrop operations."

The aircrews were given specific times to reach drop zones where Simulated Air Training Bundles and Container Delivery System loads were released. They also performed low-flying exercises approximately 500 feet from the ground in unfamiliar terrain.

Why train in Romania?

Begin said it was a logical choice because "of how accommodating the Romanian government was to our request to train here at night throughout June. Population congestion and noise constraints in Europe often preclude us from training the way we would fight, especially in the summer months," he explained. "When the 458th Air Expeditionary Group was based here during OIF, the airfield and lodging accommodations were already in place, making it a smooth transition."

Staff Sgt. A.K. Roberts, 37th AS C-130 loadmaster, was an observer and trainer during the flights.

"I ensured the other loadmasters could safely perform their jobs in the unlit aircraft," Roberts said.

To help flight crewmembers see in the dark, they donned NVGs, which make objects appear to glow in florescent green. Because the aircraft is swooping down at low altitudes, loadmasters must ensure they are able to see the objects around them for safety reasons and quickly drop their simulated load on time, Roberts said.

For the pilots, co-pilots and navigators, their challenges are a little different.

"Maintaining a formation using NVGs, while flying close to the ground can be challenging," said 1st Lt. Jason Reed, 37th AS C-130 co-pilot. "Training is constant in our squadron, so we can be prepared for supporting any mission."

To ensure everything goes smoothly with the Romanian air traffic control tower, Romanian Air Force Capt. Gabriel Stochirlea, assisted the pilots with communication.

"I helped deconflict possible problems with the tower," said the C-130 pilot of 13 years. The training gave Stochirlea a first-hand look on how U.S. Air Force pilots performed their night-vision tactics.

"I received insight on how this was done," he said. "Our countries have a good working relationship, and the training is useful for both sides."

Although the crews were in a different country, they were made to feel at home with assistance they received from the Romanian people.

"We've received great support from the Romanians," Reed said. "It was nice to observe the culture and meet the people. It's been a good experience for all of us."

Proud of what his unit performed in such a short amount of time was 37th AS commander, Lt. Col. J.R. Reid.

"When you think about it, the war with Iraq ended a little more than a month ago," the commander said. "What is expected of our military is the ability to adapt and keep moving with any future adversaries. Our unit pushed hard to ensure our war-fighting capabilities are current. I'm very proud of that."

A great deal of effort was spent getting people the training they needed so quickly, the commander said.

"It took a lot of will power and a great deal of pride in order for us to accomplish this," Reid said. "It was a challenge to train more than 200 crew members, while overcoming the obstacles of weather and aircraft maintenance, but they did a great job."

The 37th Airlift Squadron working under the 86th Operations Group operates 17 combat-ready C-130 Hercules aircraft throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East to employ and resupply U.S. and Allied forces as directed by Headquarters, European Command. They deploy as an autonomous unit performing in adverse weather airdrop and air land missions, and airdrop load preparation. They support European nuclear airlift, treaty compliance missions, space shuttle aeromedical evacuation missions, and maintain a worldwide mobility status.