• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Air controllers return from Kirkuk after near four-month deployment

USAFE News

Release Date: 9/04/2003

By Staff Sgt. Cindy Dorfner 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) -- Like a lot of other members of here, those at the 606th Air Control Squadron found out in February they were deploying. Then they weren't. Then they were. Then they weren't again. Finally, in May, they did. And now, they're back -- with memories they never could've imagined.

About 110 people, along with about 360 short tons of equipment, made the way to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, and became the first air control squadron to operate in the country. Their mission was to set up their equipment to inherit the Airborne Warning and Control System E-3 Sentry aircraft mission and provide an around-the-clock air picture to the combined air operations center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

They also helped stand up the air traffic control system within Iraq, which was non-existent the first two months the air control squadron was there. In the beginning, this meant every military or civilian aircraft flying into Iraq checked in with the 606th controllers, who then handed the aircraft off to the appropriate ground control. Additionally, they provided refuel and close air support control to military aircraft.

According to Lt. Col. Scott Fischer, 606th ACS commander, the mission developed as time went on. Each day, the group found out how to more effectively provide information to the CAOC.

"The deployment offered our people a great chance to execute the many aspects of the mission they rarely get to practice here in Europe," Fischer said. "It was a spectacular training opportunity and that opportunity helped keep up morale."

Heading into late July, it seemed to some, including Capt. Milad Youssef, 606th ACS air battle manager, the squadron should just pack up and go home.

"A lot of times, we were wondering, 'It's so quiet. Nothing's going on. Why don't they send us home?'" Youssef said.

Fischer agreed. "It seemed to be a very boring, routine mission. Our challenge at that point was to always be ready."

And ready they were on that day late in July. Two A-10s from Kirkuk AB, low on fuel, were just returning from a close air support-training mission with the Army. As soon as the 606th controller handed them off to Kirkuk AB ground control, the combined air operations center sent an immediate request for CAS.

The 606th operations crew told ground control not to let the planes land -- they were needed immediately for a mission. While that might have sounded exciting, the jets were still low on fuel. The controller had to order a tanker, which was also nearing empty, to give the A-10s the fuel it had. The 606th ordered another tanker to sustain operations.

Full of gas, the two A-10s, including one flown by a Spangdahlem AB pilot, headed north to Mosul. Tasked with providing close air support to Army personnel on the ground, the pilots were unable to talk directly to them. Again, the 606th worked wonders and kept up communication between the two.

"It was the epitome of air battle management," Fischer said. "You ask the questions 'what is it? Can I do anything to expedite this request?' My folks thought on their feet under time pressure and performed superbly."

And what did that performance include? News reports were out -- Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday and Qusay, were dead.

Youssef said that day was his proudest of the deployment.

"Being able to support the Army when they were engaged with 2 and 3 - that's the essence of ABM. That's what we got paid for, and that's what we did that day."

The captain wasn't working that shift, but he heard about it.

"We kept our heads in the business - everyday, even when it was quiet," said Youssef. "Then, out of the blue, to catch those guys ... We had our best controller working it -- Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Scott. He took care of business."

Now back at home, rest is the order of business for the 30 "controllers of the skies" who returned Aug. 21. Plans are in the works for the remaining 80 folks to get home.

Donna Day and her two daughters, Kylene, 7, and Ashlyn, 3, contemplated what to do now that her husband, Staff Sgt. Patrick Day, was back. The returning 606th troop was just looking forward to lunch and cool weather. Ashlyn had other plans.

"We're just gonna play in my room," she said.