944 LRS returns to Valley of the Sun

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Barbara Plante
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  As the 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron closed the books on "Operations Patriot Angler" 2015 annual tour at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and returned to the Valley of the Sun on Sunday they collectively agree the tour was a resounding success.

Summer season at JBER is a time when families typically leave for their next duty assignments and the "mission is fishing" as Airmen traditionally take some much needed leave to enjoy the weather.  This can create a bath tub effect in manning; therefore it is the perfect time to get additional help to support the mission. 

"We really appreciate the unit coming and helping us out and working as one team," said Major Francis Fappiano, 673rd LRS, commander. You will never hear us complain about extra hands."

It is a long standing tradition for the 944th Fighter Wing to seamlessly integrate with active duty and this trip was the text book example of total force integration. 

"We have highly trained Airmen and the preplanning of the trip really paid off because they were able to start working as soon as boots hit the ground," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Kuehler, 944th LRS acting first sergeant for the trip.

Having been with the unit for four years this is Kuehler's first time to act as a first sergeant. He didn't volunteer for the position; however, he jumped at the opportunity. 

"I am always looking for the next challenge in my career.  I really enjoyed the experience of taking care of the troops and all of the duties of being a first sergeant" Kuehler said.  He credits his success on this trip to support from leadership and good mentoring from other first sergeants in the wing.


"The hard work and support provided by the 944th LRS was impressive, thank you for the great work you all did, it has been noticed by both us and [JBER] leadership," said Major Cedric Finnen, 944th LRS, vehicle maintenance flight commander and Operation Patriot Angler deployment commander.

"This annual tour was beneficial to the [944th LRS] maintainers in that we were able to get hands-on experience with vehicles and equipment that are common throughout the Air Force, but we don't have at home station," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Franklin, 944th LRS, vehicle maintenance.   

Due to the difference in weather conditions there is a big variance from JBER and Luke Air Force Base, when it comes to vehicle maintenance, with 1,525 vehicles and pieces of equipment overall their fleet is much bigger.

"Our Airmen were able to reduce the daily work load for active duty personnel so effectively that it allowed them to catch up on a backlog of work," Franklin added.

JBER provides access to multiple airframes and refueling equipment that is not available at LAFB. This unique mission allowed the 944th Fuels Flight to obtain training on this specialized equipment and provided invaluable learning opportunities.

  The flight dispatched 179,175 gallons of JP-8 fuel to 81 aircraft and pump 42,363 gallons of fuel during 18 operations on seven different types of aircraft.  Those aircraft included F-22's, HHC60's helicopters, C-130's, C-17's, C12's, Japanese E-3's and a Gulfstream. 

"This trip was so important because it provided us with way more training than we could have gotten at home station," said Christopher Saenz, 944th LRS noncommissioned officer in charge of fuels distribution.

Supply members helped inventoried 1,470 line items in the supply warehouse and provided support with the equipment accountability by viewing 812 lines items valued at $315,567.50.

"I really appreciated the help they provided in the short time they were here.  We have had a lot of augmenters in the past, and they were, by far the best help.  We completed the work that would normally take a week, in two days," said "Senior Airman Raymond Marin, 673rd LRS.

In addition, members of the 944th Forces Support Squadron provided communications support, helped to prepare and serve over 3,000 meals in the Iditarod dining facility and worked side-by-side with personnelist at the 477th Air Force Reserve Fighter Group.

With the mission of the 944th FW to train F-16 pilots, airlift support is always essential requirement for an effective unit deployment.  The 349th Air Mobility Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit stationed at Travis Air Force Base Calif., provided a C-17 Globemaster III and crew for airlift up to Alaska.  

On the return trip the C-17 airlift and crew were provided by the 446th Airlift Wing. The 446th AW is Washington State's only Air Force Reserve flying unit and is headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (McChord Field), Wash. 

"Airlift support can make or break a deployment," said Senior Master Sgt. James Lindsay, 944th LRS, noncommissioned officer in charge of plans and deployment project officer.   "We went out about six months ago and requested support, both crews did a fantastic job supporting our mission and getting us safety to our destination."