3rd Airlift Squadron excels down range

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Padgett
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Nearly 60 days after their first unit-wide deployment, the 3rd Airlift Squadron continues to excel.

In two months, the 3rd AS has moved 10 million pounds of cargo, more than 5,000 passengers, and were integral in a short notice air evacuation mission that saved the life of a service member.

"Performing the mission from our deployed location has been nothing short of phenomenal," said Lt. Col. Kevin Gordon, 3rd AS commander.

While the 3rd AS has been hard at work downrange, credit also goes to the Team Dover members who made their deployment possible.

"Inprocessing went extremely smooth in large part due to the professionals back at Dover who helped prepare our squadron for this deployment," said Colonel Gordon. "The wing deployment team, to include the installation deployment officer, medical professionals, force support specialists, and airman and family readiness team set us up for success."

While deployed, the 3rd AS still works with many familiar faces, including Senior Airman Jonathan Vanden Eynden, 436th Operations Group intelligence analyst.

"Being deployed with the 3rd AS has given me a chance to develop a good working relationship with aircrews and the rest of the support agencies," said Airman Vanden Eynden. "Knowing we are directly connected to the efforts in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom really helps me focus on my job and concentrate on the mission in front of us."
While Team Dover members provided support on the 3rd AS's way out, Dover maintainers are lending a hand downrange.

"It is great to have our maintenance professionals out here," said Colonel Gordon. "The 436th Maintenance Group has many C-17 maintenance warriors deployed, so we get to see some familiar faces when we launch and return from missions. The pilots and loadmasters, combined with our intel, crew communication and maintenance brethren, truly make this a Team Dover deployment."