TOP STORY > >Green Hornets swarm to Iraq mission

By Arlo Taylor
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

More than 60 members of the 61st Airlift Squadron deployed Dec. 9 to fly C-130 combat airlift missions supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

The deployment is first in more than three years in which the Green Hornets have deployed as a squadron instead of individual deployers.

“This is really the first we’ve done a full squadron deployment in a long time,” said Lt. Col. Ken Kopp, 61st AS director of operations, who will be leading the squadron deployment. “It’s going to be a good thing for us. You spend four months together with all the folks in your squadron, and you’re going to get closer because you’re there together.”

Colonel Kopp said deploying as a group helps tighten the ties of teamwork and reinforce the family mindset that has been a hallmark of flying squadrons over the years.

The squadron’s key spouse program will provide a vital link for family members while their loved ones are deployed. Colonel Kopp said the program is part of taking care of Air Force families.

“I encourage our spouses to lean on each other, call each other and take care of each other. If there is something going on, we can’t help you if we don’t know about it,” he said.

The squadron’s key spouses aren’t strangers to deployments and will be calling family members during the deployment to make certain they are okay. The experience of key spouses helps also help family members left behind during the deployment with many issues they may face, said Lt. Col. Bill Otter, 61st Airlift Squadron commander.

“There is some value in getting a phone call. We use our key spouses because there are some issues that spouses may share with [them] that they might not share with [unit leaders],” he said.

The squadron will be part of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron or “Triple 7 Dueling Dragons,” the largest deployed airlift squadron in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Comprised of more than 100 Airmen and a fleet of C-130 Hercules aircraft, the 777 EAS has five primary missions: hub-and-spoke air-land missions, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation, distinguished visitor airlift and communications, and command and control for Joint Airborne Battle Staff support to coalition forces on the ground. The squadron is expected to return in late spring.