News Search

726th AMS: All weather, all the time

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rusty Frank
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  When a cold, harsh storm or turbulent hurricane occurs, the Air Force may divert aircraft due to the weather's unpredictability.

The logistics and manpower required to do this all on time can present a challenge. But for Airmen of the 726th Air Mobility Squadron, moments like this are just another day at the office.

The 726th AMS showcased their abilities Oct. 28 by handling multiple aircraft from various bases and major commands due to a weather divert.

"One of the initial challenges we had was the winds started picking up here as well," said Chief Master Sgt. Bud Walsh, 726th AMS superintendant. "We had to alleviate that stress caused by the wind on the structure of the airplanes."

Securing the structural integrity of aircraft as well as ensuring they are prepared when weather conditions permit their travel are among some of the 726th AMS's capabilities it brings to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.

"The 726th AMS are enablers to worldwide humanitarian and war-fighting missions," said Master Sgt. Michael McCormick, 726th AMS production superintendent. "We do this by consistently providing safe and dependable support to transit aircraft, personnel and cargo to our American and allied forces."

Tech. Sgt. Jay Steppat, 726th AMS flightline expediter, said the squadron's mission ensures the Air Mobility Command's primary mission is sustained by acting as a gateway to Europe.

"It's what anyone would do if their family was in need," Steppat said. "We provided support and the vital ramp space necessary for our Air Force brothers from the 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron by giving refuge to three MC-130P Combat Shadows and Three MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft."

McCormick said many elements factored into making this particular occasion a successful event.

"Communication and teamwork allowed us to modify the standard parking plan on our ramp without sacrificing safety or impeding the AMC mission here at Spangdahlem or that of the Air Force Special Operations Command's capabilities, if a 'real world' situation had occurred," he said.

Regarding this particular episode or any of its kind, 726th AMS leadership said it takes a joint effort to make any divert a success.

"It was a solidly coordinated effort between all the organizations," said Lt. Col. Chad Annunziata, 726th AMS commander. "From the operations support squadron operating in the tower to having the logistics readiness squadron with the fuel team to support the MC-130s, to the force support squadron allocating rooms to all the incoming Airmen, and then back to (logistics readiness squadron) having transportation for all the crews and maintainers to and from the aircraft -- it was a great team effort for the 52nd Fighter Wing and the 726th AMS."