The State (South Carolina) April 28, 2003
Maintenance crews keep McEntire jets flying
Technical workers on flight line at Qatar base stay busy despite less military activity
By CHUCK CRUMBO
The frantic pace of the Iraq war's early days has slowed to routine 12-hour shifts.
There's enough down time for an airman to take a dip in the swimming pool, catch up on reading or enjoy barbecue ribs at the "Wagon Wheel."
So it goes at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, home to about 400 airmen from the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Air National Guard Station.
"They've made it really nice," said Billy, 41, a technical sergeant and crew chief. "There's nothing to complain about as far as food or the accommodations here."
(The S.C. Air National Guard asked that last names of airmen be withheld for security reasons.)
The McEntire contingent, which deployed to Qatar the first week in March, is a component of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, based at Al Udeid for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 379th includes several thousand coalition troops from the United States, Great Britain and Australia.
The $1 billion base, near Qatar's capital of Doha, has evolved into a permanent installation, featuring a 15,000-foot runway -- the longest in the Persian Gulf, according to GlobalSecurity.org, a nonprofit military and defense policy think tank based in Virginia.
However, the base's "permanent" status doesn't mean the airmen are treated to five-star accommodations.
For example, most sleep in 72-bed tents that have air conditioning to fight the 100-degree heat in the day and furnaces to keep folks comfortable when the nighttime lows slip into the 50s.
The tents are arranged like the spokes of a wheel with the eating and social and recreational facilities at the hub, called the "Wagon Wheel." The base has to be self-contained because airmen have been restricted to the installation.
McEntire deployed 15 jets and 30 pilots to Al Udeid. It sent hundreds more personnel to maintain the jets and load the bombs.
Their work has been crucial to the war effort, Air Guard commanders said.
Although they're at war, Tech. Sgt. James, an avionics technician, said the work the airmen do in Qatar is no different from what they do at McEntire.
"Back home, there's always a sense of urgency to do your job right because of the situation pilots are going to be in," said James, 29, a 12-year veteran of the Air Guard. "Here, we've got to do our job right so that the pilot can deliver his weapons and protect the soldiers on the ground."
One thing that doesn't change in a war is the need to maintain the jets, airmen said.
In Qatar, McEntire pilots have flown as much in two months as they would in 11.
Their jets still have to go through scheduled "phased" inspections after 200 hours of flying time. The inspections usually take about five days, but the time has been cut to two to three days.
"We're helping each other on the flight line," said Staff Sgt. Billy, 39. "When you're done with your jet, you go help the next crew."
On top of the "phased" inspections, technicians routinely pull the engines and take them to the back shop for overhauls. They also do preventive maintenance, changing oil and filters.
The first days of the war, when McEntire pilots were flying around the clock, "was like Talladega," Billy said, referring to the NASCAR racing at the famous Alabama track.
"It was wide open, but it was enjoyable," Brian said. "There was the thrill of the moment."
While work shifts stretched to 16 hours, Brian said few minded. "You'd be dog-tired, but if you love what you do, then you love what you do."
Chris, a major in charge of flight-line operations, said one of his challenges was getting parts for the jets.
Logistics wins wars, and the Air Force has an elaborate system to track and ship spare parts, said Chris, 36.
"We brought parts with us. We've borrowed from other units, and sometimes we've gone down the road (to other bases in the region) to get them," he said.
Back home, you might have to wait for days on a part, Chris said. "But here, the Air Force pushes the parts to you rather quickly."
With the major combat over, airmen admitted there's talk about returning home.
"People talk about it from the time they get here," said Tech. Sgt. James, who is married and the father of two small children, ages 3 and 4. "But nobody knows when we're coming back."
About 16 airmen returned over the weekend, lucky enough to catch a seat on an airliner leaving Qatar. But McEntire officials said they don't have a return date for the main body of airmen who deployed to the gulf.
The airmen all voice pride in the work they've done to keep the McEntire jets flying and with the Air Force's performance in the Iraqi war.
"We threw our best at them, and it showed," James said.
Also, they believe the Air Guard's performance garnered plenty of respect from the active-duty members of the Air Force.
"We showed up and took care of business," Brian said. "I feel honored. I feel proud, and I'm going back home with my chest stuck out."
Copyright © 2003, The State.com
