Fairchild commemorates milestone moment with Manas redeployers

by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

3/3/2014 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Team Fairchild has supported expeditionary operations with the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgystan, for more than a decade. After nearly a year of planning, the wing's KC-135 Stratotankers and crews returned home from Manas for the last time to a commemoration and welcoming home ceremony here Feb. 25.

"Working side-by-side, Fairchild and Manas never missed a performance in the war on terrorism," said Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "We answered the call so others may prevail. Thousands of lives were saved because we were fueling freedom overhead."

Without missing a beat, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander at Manas, Col. J.C. Millard, added global reach airpower in the war on terrorism was made possible by expeditionary mobility Airmen at the transit center.

"We finished the way we began: fueling the fight in support of coalition troops in contact in Afghanistan," Millard said. "For more than a decade, we made good on our promise and motto: 'Liberandos Deliver.'"

While supporting expeditionary operations at Manas, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing flew more than 20,000 sorties in nearly 125,000 hours, offloading some 1.5 billion pounds of fuel to more than 110,000 U.S. and Coalition aircraft during the decade-long partnership.

"Our Airmen, at the 376th, have certainly answered the call, offloading a total of 12.2 billion pounds of fuel to coalition forces providing overwatch, and ensuring our forces in Afghanistan prevailed," said Lt. Gen. Darren McDew,18th Air Force commander. "We truly appreciate our Manas partners who have been absolutely pivotal in support of our operations as we close this historic chapter."

As one chapter in the war on terrorism closes at Manas, another begins as operations at Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) Air Base have reached initial operational capability as the new air hub. Chris Rosenthal of the 18th Air Force said the transition from Manas to MK will enable U.S. air power to continue supporting the movement of troops without missing a beat.

"This really is a testament to having the right people in place to perform a challenging task with leadership and ingenuity," Rosenthal said.

Innovation is nothing new for Fairchild Airmen, and as the Air Force transitions operations to Romania, the 92nd ARW will never forget the sacrifices made by the Team Fairchild family, Newberry said. The Air Force and U.S. military couldn't have accomplished so much and saved so many lives without the family and friends back home supporting their loved ones downrange, added the colonel.

"I'm very proud of the Fairchild family," Newberry said. "Over the last decade, our families were just as integral to fueling freedom as our men and women in uniform. From sending care packages to staying up late at night for video calls, we will never forget the sacrifices our families have made."

One family member said today is both a somber and happy moment, but that she's more than ready to have her husband home.

"It's amazing to have him home again, especially with twins, the extra hands will be great," said Staff Sgt. Cassandra Bucklin, a 92nd Maintenance Group crew chief, who braved the blistery flightline with her three children to welcome their dad and husband, Staff Sgt. Isaac Bucklin, home. "Our little boy has been searching every room in the house for his dad the last couple days when I told him 'daddy' was coming home."

Today may mark the end of an era for Fairchild and Manas, but cues the beginning to a new chapter of possibilities, alluded Newberry.

"This is a day to celebrate," he said.

Editor's note: The 18th Air Force and 376th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs offices contributed to this article.