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JET Airmen represent crown jewel of operation in Iraq

by Senior Airman Wes Carter
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

6/2/2010 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) -- Most Airmen of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing are stationed at Joint Base Balad, but some find themselves at forward operating bases throughout the country as joint expeditionary tasked Airmen.

As part of the 732nd Expeditionary Group, approximately 1,100 JET Airmen are divided into five squadrons. Their mission has them working hand-in-hand with sister services or the U.S. State Department on a regular basis.

"Our Airmen do everything from document and media exploitation to movement control teams," said Col. Charles Douglass, the 732nd Expeditionary Group commander. "They also advise our Iraqi partners in logistics and police work."

Like other Airmen supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, JET Airmen are dedicated to preparing the country for the day when U.S. combat forces withdraw from Iraq. As the government of Iraq continues to find its footing as a sovereign nation, JET Airmen work with Iraqi officials to establish Iraqi special forces, train and mentor Iraqi police and advise leaders on economic activities.

"I am especially proud of the impact our Airmen have on the strengthening partnership of the U.S. and Iraq," Colonel Douglass said. "I think our Airmen excel in their duties in Iraq because their JET deployments are a little different than the normal AEF rotation they may get. They enjoy the challenges."

JET Airmen have not only inimitable deployment experiences, but also the opportunity to work in an environment unique from their peers, which allows for different learning experiences.

"The deployment has taught me how to be very flexible," said 1st Lt. Jenny Gibson, a 732nd Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron foreign excess personal property engineer. "I feel like you can throw anything at me and it wouldn't surprise me."

Lieutenant Gibson is part of a four-person shop responsible for working with Iraqis on infrastructure projects to increase education opportunities by building schools and increasing the standard of living by finding ways to get potable water into more Iraqi households.

"JET Airmen are one of the crown jewels of the 332nd's mission in Iraq," said Brig. Gen. Craig A. Franklin, the 332nd AEW commander. "Their phenomenal work across the country contributes to the proud Tuskegee Airman heritage."

Like other members of the 332nd AEW, JET Airmen are scheduled to responsibly draw down by December 2011, and Airmen from the 732nd AEG squadron are already packing up. The 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron will be inactivated June 7.