Coronet liaison bridges gap between fighters, Lajes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  In calendar year 2012, Lajes Field serviced 184 coronet aircraft.

Between January through April 2013 alone, 163 coronet aircraft have already moved through the base to and from the U.S., Europe or the Middle East.

When it comes to coordinating and tracking all incoming U.S. and foreign coronets, Tech. Sgt. Luke Adams is the sole 65th Operations Support Squadron coronet liaison who makes it all happen here at Lajes Field.

"We're a stopping point halfway between the U.S. east coast and Europe and the Middle East," said Adams. "A lot of jets don't carry a big enough fuel load to go straight from the east coast to the Middle East or straight from the east coast to Europe, so they're going to stop through here for fuel, liquid oxygen, crew rest or whatever they need. Also, if there's bad weather up in Europe, they can divert here. We pretty much support the majority of fighters and refuelers going back and forth from the east coast.  We're handling a lot of aircraft, moving a lot of stuff to and from Europe and the Middle East."

Adams coordinates the movement of all fighter aircraft coming through, to and from Lajes to make their touch and go visits as smooth as possible.

"The coronet liaison is vital to Lajes' success supporting fighter movements," said Maj. Joseph Okasinski, 65th Operations Support Squadron deputy commander. "He builds the foundation of awareness that enables Team Lajes to rally, providing consistently outstanding service despite our small size."

Staff Sgt. Andres Jimenez, who served as the former coronet liaison until February 2013, said Adams is the first person at Lajes to contact these individuals in order to get everything set up for them.

"This includes security clearances, equipment, answering questions before their arrival and making sure their stop at Lajes runs as smoothly as possible," he said.

Adams is responsible for touching base with the points of contact of each group, be it Navy, Marines, Air Force or foreign fighters. He sets up lodging, equipment and transportation for all incomers.

"I get the names and manifest for all personnel," Adams said. "I set up lodging, transportation, vehicles and make sure they have food before they arrive. I make sure we have adequate equipment as far as aerospace ground equipment and make sure [it is] all running correctly. Once the aircraft are here, we get fuel for them, service the liquid oxygen, make sure they have nitrogen and service the aircraft."

Adams also stays in contact with representatives from the Air Operations Squadron at Langley AFB, Va., to keep informed on the types of aircraft, the schedule of each aircraft and number of personnel to expect.

Jimenez said a key characteristic one must have in this duty is flexibility as there are often delays due to budget constraints, aircraft maintenance or even weather.

"If an aircraft breaks down along the way, some of them will have to stay behind in order to stay together," he said. "If it's foggy or windy to the point that it will compromise the safety of flights, it's going to delay things, and then we'll have to divert somewhere else."

The coronet liaison also has long and sometimes unpredictable work hours.

"Anytime a coronet is here, coronet liaisons are required to be here - be it weekends or during 5 o'clock in the morning launches - because if they need anything, we are the liaisons between the aircrew, maintenance crew and our Transient Alert shop," said Adams.

The coronet liaison bridges the gap between the coronet crewmembers and their needs - fuel, equipment, food, computers, phones, information on local customs and restrictions, etc.

"That's pretty much why Lajes exists - for these coronet missions," said Jimenez. "Not all aircraft can make it in one hop over the Atlantic. They need a pit stop, and that's what this place is for."