Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

By Staff Sgt. Elaine Aviles

39th Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (USAFENS) -- While some people may be looking ahead to the end of war, a group of airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base is still focusing on the job at hand.

This group of pilots, maintainers, technicians and support troops from the 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron have been deployed to a forward location supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom for more than three months.

"No one really wants to be at war," said Capt. Mark Van Brunt, an F-16CJ pilot. "But I'm glad I'm a part of it, so I can help get things done."

As a fighter pilot, it's Van Brunt's job to find Iraqi radar sites and destroy them. His weapon of choice is a high-speed anti-radiation missile, capable of homing in on enemy radar emissions. He also escorts other bombers and fighters, acting as a $20 million bodyguard.

"We get shot at a lot," said Van Brunt. "I've seen bullets and (surface-to-air missiles) coming right at me. It's pretty intense, but that's when the training kicks in."

This is what fighter pilots have been preparing to do for more than 12 years, in training scenarios and during Operations Northern and Southern Watch missions.

"The execution is just like our training," said Lt. Col. Hank Reed, 22nd EFS commander. "We're well prepared for this."

That is evident by their success rate. With the help of their high-speed, agile fighters, these F-16 pilots have prevented any coalition aircraft they're watching from being shot down.

"There's a definite threat out there, but we just focus on one mission at a time," said 1st  Lt. Frank Lusher, an F-16 pilot. "We're all working together for a cause, and that keeps us motivated."

This feeling of pride isn't exclusive to pilots.

"I see F-16s coming back here safely after being shot at and it makes my job worthwhile," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Noll, life support technician.

Noll deployed from here, maintains pilots' safety equipment, which can range from anti-G suits and vests to survival kits and parachutes.

"If I don't do my job properly, a parachute may not deploy or a pilot could pass out from lack of oxygen," he said.

Attention to detail is just one challenge of Noll's job.

Life in the sandy, sweltering desert is a 180-degree difference from the crisp air and mountainous terrain of Germany.

"The dust is a never ending battle," said Noll. "We have to keep it away from our oxygen equipment. We're constantly cleaning masks with alcohol."

The dust isn't the only problem. Since the base more than doubled in size at the start of the war, its already limited amenities are straining under the burden.

"When we got here, we were working out of a shack," said Master Sgt. Stephen Farrell, 22nd EFS operations superintendent. "Everyone pitched in and built a functional operations center. We built desks out of plywood. As for the heat, well, the air conditioner can only do so much."

Transportation is another issue. With five vehicles for 80 people, getting a ride is tough. "Everyone's had to pitch in to get back and forth to the flight line," said Farrell. "People from all career fields have had their turn. Everyone's giving 110 percent."

Farrell attributes this motivation not only to necessity, but to a sense of purpose.

"War is a lot different from an exercise," said Farrell. "There's a heightened sense of urgency during war, particularly when you're carrying a gas mask around the clock or you're Alarm Red in a bunker."

Challenges aside, when questioned about their motivation, the deployed Spangdahlem troops speak with almost one voice.