Colorado Airmen add Africa to airlift mission set

from 52nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron

1/10/2014 - CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti -- The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing deployed in support of U.S. AFRICOM as the 52nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and stood up operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Oct 1.

The 52nd EAS, supported by Airmen from the 302nd AW's 731st AS and its active duty associate unit, the 52nd AS, is charged with providing tactical airlift as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. CJTF-HOA's operations build partnerships and supports development initiatives in an effort to promote regional security and prevent violent extremist activity.

"The 302nd AW was instrumental in pioneering airlift operations in AFRICOM," said Col. Kurt Jones, commander of the 302nd Operations Group. "This [52nd EAS] was the first EAS to be stood up in support of AFRICOM," he added.

The 52nd EAS is strategically located at Camp Lemonier to support CJTF-HOA's ability to work with partner nations, coalition forces, and interagency and intergovernmental organizations to achieve a unified effort in the region.

According to Capt. Christopher Gurrola, a 52nd EAS C-130 pilot, within hours of arriving to Camp Lemonier, the Colorado Airmen were planning and executing missions into austere locations. Gurrola said the airlift missions in Africa provided unique flight environments and new sights, to include wild herds of giraffe, camels, and baboons.

"Within the first month we had planned and conducted some of the most difficult night missions to dirt landing strips, performing combat offloads, and had flawlessly accomplished a complete engine change under the roasting African sun," he said.

"The unit arrived at Djibouti to find not much more waiting for us than a shipping container building, a couple of 'Gator' vehicles, and a place to lay their heads. That proved to be all we would need," said Gurrola.

According to Lt. Col. Jason Terry, the 52nd EAS is a critical part of the crisis response in support of U.S. military, diplomatic, and civilian personnel throughout East Africa.

"I could not be more proud of the men and women of the 52nd EAS. They have done everything asked in support of partner nation military operations against violent extremist organizations, while strengthening our East African partner nation militaries," he said. "The actions of the 52 EAS, and CJTF-HOA, protect and defend the national security interests of the United States in East Africa."

52nd EAS Airmen also volunteered their time at a local orphanage in order to bond with the Djiboutian people on a personal level. According to Terry, the 52nd EAS Airmen are most proud of the Total Force approach to this deployment as it is a 50-50 mix of  reserve and active duty Airmen.

Discussing the addition of the AFRICOM mission set to the wing's existing airlift and Modular Airborne Fire Fighting mission sets, Jones said, "This has been an opportunity for the wing to show flexibility in leadership of TFI [Total Force Integration] and increase the mission sets we can accomplish."

Camp Lemonier is a U.S. Navy led installation that operates and maintains service to meet the needs of 25 tenant commands, and facilitate operations in the Horn of Africa, while promoting positive relations between the United States and African nations.

CJTF-HOA began operations in 2002 and Camp Lemonier now supports approximately 4,000 U.S., joint and allied forces military and civilian personnel and U.S. Department of Defense contractors. Additionally, the base provides employment for approximately 100 local and third country nation workers.