727th officer gives inside look into world of ATOC

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/31/2014 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- Being in charge of the command and control center in the 727th Air Mobility Squadron keeps U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Evan Hanson passionate about his Air Force career.

Hanson, 727th AMS Air Terminal Operations Center duty officer, commissioned in May 2013, and he entered active duty service November 2013.

His team coordinates all outside requests for agency support and information, distributes them to the sections and then conveys all the information to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, to get the mission completed. His role involves a great deal of overseeing, management and scheduling.

"As a squadron, we have several mission-critical functions. Many military members may be aware that we run the space-available program, which allows them to travel for free or at reduced prices onboard military aircraft," Hanson said. "However, our passenger terminal not only supports these passengers, but also those travelling on orders for exercises or deployments."

The 727th AMS's role is varied and the lieutenant's duties encompass many areas.

"We also have the air freight flight that supports the cargo requirements of aircraft arriving at, and departing from, RAF Mildenhall. The special handling section works with classified cargo and items with more stringent requirements," the Hotchkiss, Colorado, native explained.

Deployments can be particularly stressful and often a worrying time for many Airmen. In the ATOC, Hanson and his team work with the other flights in the squadron to facilitate aircraft deploying and redeploying.

"We also support international aircraft and their passengers that come to Mildenhall," the officer said.

They have an important role in deployments moving equipment downrange not only from units on RAF Mildenhall, but also all U.S. and NATO forces in Britain.

Hanson is proud of those who have a vital role in getting the mission done, but who are sometimes overlooked.

"We work closely with our fleet services section which is under contract. These individuals accomplish necessary tasks like cleaning the bathrooms on the planes and loading baggage onto aircraft," he said. "All of our sections play a crucial role in support of the Air Force mission."

The officer enjoys working with many different people and thrives on the ever-changing world in which he works.

"I love the fact that my job is different just about every day. At the beginning of June, we supported the 82nd Airborne Division, who was in Europe for the 70th anniversary of D-Day and international exercises," Hanson said. "Their C-130 Hercules, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, were posted here throughout most of their stay. This was a unique opportunity to work alongside Army personnel. One day I might be conducting an inventory on an inbound aircraft with the ramp controller, the next day I might be writing a schedule for the 82nd AD when they are (headed) home."

In this role, he works with many other units on base. ATOC works alongside the installation deployment readiness center, a function of the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron. He also works with the 48th Fighter Wing to support exercises or real-world events.

"If they needed us to move cargo, we are the only Air Mobility Command presence in the U.K. and are ready to assist. Most of their cargo processes through us so that we can accomplish the necessary inspections and upload it onto the aircraft," Hanson explained.

Hanson has made the most of his time stationed on RAF Mildenhall.

"Although this is my first assignment and I really haven't been in the military very long, it seems that my adventure in the Air Force is constantly changing. I like that; I'm always learning," he said.

He has advice for others who are thinking of joining the Air Force and are perhaps undecided.

"When I was in Reserve Officer Training Corps before I commissioned, if you had asked me what type of jobs a logistics officer does, I might have said he or she would be in charge of a vehicle maintenance shop where there are a lot of American military. I had no idea I was going to work so closely with the Ministry of Defence personnel. But here I am, working in a squadron comprised of more British MoD than American Airmen. It's a great experience and I've learned an incredible amount from it," Hanson said.

He enjoys being stationed here, but has plans for his future career.

"I'm interested in the regional affairs strategist program that we have in the Air Force. They send officers on alternating assignments. For example, as an RAS officer, I might work in an embassy for an assignment and then come back and take a job in the logistics career field. Increasingly there are more and more opportunities for logistics officers to go work alongside different militaries. To teach them, train them and also build those international relationships that are so important. I think it would be great to be a part of that," he said.