RAF Fairford supports training mission

by Tech. Sgt. Chrissy Best
501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs

12/18/2013 - RAF FAIRFORD, United Kingdom -- The sound of aircraft is a regular occurrence at most U.S. Air Force bases, but at RAF Fairford those noises are only heard when another unit comes in to test a new capability, evaluate their ability to deploy or for the annual Royal Internal Air Tattoo.

RAF Fairford opened its gates to more than 150 Airmen, three MC-130Js and three CV-22s from the 352nd Special Operations Group from RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, so they could conduct a logistics exercise with their new airframes Dec. 9 to 12.

"The unique thing about RAF Fairford is you do not have multiple units already here on the base," said Master Sgt. John Modica, 501st CSW logistics plans NCOIC. "So, when a unit does come here, they practically own the base."

"RAF Fairford provided us the perfect opportunity to go off-station, to exercise, train and be able to walk through the whole deployment process and validate that we were able to correctly identify those skill sets, people and equipment to perform our deployed mission." said Lt. Col. Michael Thomas, 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron director of operations.

RAF Fairford is a fully functioning forward operating location, which is currently a standby airfield and therefore not in everyday use. At 1,170 acres, and equipped with a 10,000 foot runway, the base provides more than 50 parking spaces and a 10 million gallon JP-8 hydrant refueling system. RAF Fairford provides full communications capabilities for visiting units and lodging for up to 900 additional personnel during contingency operations.

"On these types of exercises, we like to ask for at least 30 to 60 days' notice, because there is a ton of coordination that has to go into effect between the 501st Combat Support Wing (headquartered at RAF Alconbury), the 422nd Air Base Group (located at RAF Croughton) and the 420th Air Base Squadron here," said Modica. "So the more time the better, but we are able to receive people and aircraft within 24 to 48 hours, if necessary."

"We are normally ready and waiting for anyone to come in, whether it is the 352nd SOG or anyone else in the U.S. Air Force," said Feargal Glennon, 420th ABS contingency services manager. "We provide three meals a day, a fitness center, lodging and a 24-hour community center."

In addition to providing a quality service to the visiting unit, there is one additional benefit to training at a base run by civilians.

"Because we have civilians here and because civilians a have more longevity at a base, you've a great continuity and a depth of knowledge of history of how a reception should be run at RAF Fairford," said Modica. "So with that, the collaboration between the civilians, the military and the unit coming in is just tremendous. What they do here is just incredible. They are some of the best people I've ever worked with."

"The only way this mission could be successful is with the 501st Combat Support Wing," said Thomas." Even if they can't provide something for us like the security, they can at least give us all of the guidance, resources, phone numbers or all of the stuff you may not know you need but they do. They will walk you through the entire process - it's the only way this exercise could be successful."