603rd AOC responds after earthquake in Turkey

  • Published
  • By Maj. Paul D. Baldwin
  • Third Air Force
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Members from the 603rd Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) here responded to the October 2011 earthquake in Turkey by planning and controlling humanitarian relief flights as part of a cooperative response effort led by the government of Turkey.

Relief supplies consisting of 1,700 blankets, 2,675 cots, and 275 sleeping bags were airlifted via C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 37th Airlift Squadron over the weekend.

Planners from the Air Mobility Division (AMD) of the 603rd AOC, working out of their new facility that opened Oct. 1, began preparing for the missions Oct. 28 and had the first airplane in the air early Saturday morning. Although humanitarian assistance missions are not common, the 603rd AOC is uniquely suited for disaster relief efforts. Inside the AMD sits the Airlift Control Team (ALCT) made up of experts ready to plan and coordinate intra-theater airlift operations in the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility.

Lt. Col. John D. Passmore, Airlift Control Team chief, worked with U.S. European Command (EUCOM), U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), and 3rd Air Force planners ensuring the airlift missions were successful.

"Specifically, we worked with EUCOM and 3rd Air Force Logistics Readiness to plan and execute the five C-130J airlift missions," said Passmore. "The ALCT worked with the 86th Airlift Wing to request additional aircraft over and above their usual taskings for surge operations, planned the itineraries, planned crew rest locations, planned air traffic control routings, and worked diplomatic clearances."

Once the missions were planned the process was picked up by the Air Mobility Control Team (AMCT) who monitored the process, which included flight planning support and dealing with real-time changes. A seamless handoff from ALCT to AMCT is important, said the colonel, because they work around the clock and must understand the issues with each mission.

"The AMD works its war-time mission every day, moving missions throughout Europe and Africa, so we were well prepared to execute these humanitarian assistance missions," said Passmore. However, despite a normal airlift planning process capability, humanitarian assistance planners faced unique challenges.

"The aspects that were different with these missions were the rapidity of the process and the fluidity of the situation," said Passmore. "Our planners did a great job analyzing requirements, planning the missions, and executing on a very aggressive timeline."

This aggressive timeline was met through additional planning in conjunction with the airlift planning going on in the AMD. Planners across USAFE added their directorates' input to the missions. The team leader for this planning was Maj. Michael C. Dargen, USAFE Future Operations and Airlift Operations chief, who worked closely with 603rd AOC, USAFE and 3rd Air Force personnel. A team of more than 20 people gathered Oct. 28 and provided him staff estimates that ensured every aspect of the mission was accounted for.

"The quickness with which this mission was sent, and the assistance it provided, brought much needed shelter to the Turkish people," said Dargen.

Col. Peter F. Davey, 603rd AOC commander, said the planners and the aircrews all played a part in successfully delivering the supplies requested by the government of Turkey.

This was an incredible effort by all the planners, Davey said. Because of their work, "The 86th Airlift Wing C-130J crews were able to quickly and decisively deliver critical assistance to the Turkish people."

The 603rd AOC provides command and control of air and space power in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command's areas of responsibility. It utilizes the strengths and efforts of more than 400 enlisted, officers, and DoD civilian personnel, as well as assistance from coalition nations, and personnel from the 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment and elements of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. The $24 million, 55,000-square-foot facility operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year to support joint and coalition efforts in Europe and Africa.