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Released: March 31, 2003
Cannon troops put training to use in war
By Master Sgt. Stefan Alford
332nd Air and Space Expeditionary Wing
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (ACCNS) -- F-16s deployed from the 27th Fighter Wing
at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., took part in the "shock and awe" air campaign
over Iraqi that began March 21.
The aircrews from the 524th Fighter Squadron at Cannon flew many of the 250
sorties against targets in and around Baghdad the first night, and more in the
days since.
The deployed troops felt the nearness of the war March 20. The first of many
"alarm red" sirens sounded across the compound and flightline, signaling
incoming missile attacks. The sirens were not prefaced by an exercise
announcement as they had been during recent training.
Deployed troops took cover in bunkers and hardened facilities while donning
their gas masks and full chemical warfare protective ensembles.
"Everyone's more alert since that first alarm red," said Airman 1st Class
Richard Santiago, a crew chief from the 524th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
"It changed the whole mindset here. I was out on the line right behind my jet
doing an inspection and I just turned around and ran to the bunker. We knew it
was for real."
Airman Santiago said the alarm shook him up a little, but not enough to keep
him from doing what he needed to do as training and instinct kicked in.
"We had some (U.S. Marine Corps) F-18s taking off a moment after the alarm and
I didn't know. It was a loud roar and I thought it was incoming Scuds," he
added.
"I had just finished gassing my jet," said Senior Airman Isaac Vaughn, also a
crew chief. "It kind of shocked me because it just came out of nowhere."
A U.S. Army Patriot missile air defense artillery battery brought down the
enemy missile and eliminated the threat, for the time being.
The troops here are facing increased operations tempo, as 12-hour shifts
become 13, 14 or 15 hours. The temperature is rising, as the threats also
become greater.
"You just take it one day at a time," said Capt. Lafe Dunn, a pilot from the
524th FS. "You try not to let emotions get involved and just do the job at
hand, though there's always the standard apprehension of combat." Being
confident in the face of anti-aircraft fire should never leave room for
complacency, he said.
"We're drinking lots of water to deal with the heat," Airman Santiago said.
"But we're tired and worn out from working constantly. Still, airpower is a
big part of what's going on out here right now and we all feel proud to be
here and contributing somehow, especially when we're making a difference for
the Marines and soldiers advancing on the ground by getting the air support to
the battles where it's needed."
"We're flying a lot of air support superiority missions and helping ground
troops," said Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Sullivan, another crew chief. "It feels good
to know that we are covering for them and helping them out."
The crews are well prepared for the mission, thanks to the training from back
home as well as the months already spent in the theater of operations
supporting Operation Southern Watch, he said.
"When the jets fly, everything comes together," Sergeant Sullivan said.
"Weapons, avionics, fuels - everybody has an important role in addition to the
pilots and it's the teamwork that makes it happen."
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