Troop bed down, the Lajes way

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Mara Title
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, AZORES --  On May 28, 2011, during Memorial Day weekend, Team Lajes demonstrated its true capabilities of uncompromising logistical support after a DC-10 broke down with 271 Army and Marine troops on board.

The 65th Force Support Squadron accommodated the surge and filled the 73 remaining rooms in base lodging, while the 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 729th Air Mobility Squadron transported the remaining troops to available quarters in the city of Angra.

But the night was just beginning. At 10:30 p.m., an Omni Air International Boeing 767, carrying 191 Army and Marines, also stopped at Lajes with mechanical issues. Jeff Adams, 65th FSS Director, immediately initiated a recall of his personnel to help with the troop surge. Personnel from the 65th Operations Support Squadron and 65th LRS also came out to help.

"FSS military, civilians and dependents, along with some folks from OSS and LRS, began to load 200 each of cots, blankets and towels onto vehicles for transportation to the Fitness Center," said Mr. Adams. "We bedded down all the males in the gym and all females in the downstairs aerobics room."

The Soldiers and Marines were also allowed to use fitness center phones for morale calls, and the 65th FSS provided approximately 200 bottles of water. The supporting squadrons completed the bed down at 12:30 a.m.

After the recall, Mr. Adams contacted the staff at the base club, The Top of the Rock, and had them begin putting together breakfast and lunch buffets to feed the troops the next day.

"Even though they'd been working since seven that morning, they immediately began the prep of the buffets," said Mr. Adams.

The TORC served all 191 troops, who had stayed in the Chace Fitness Center, breakfast at 7 a.m. and lunch at 11 a.m. According to Mr. Adams, the servicemembers raved about the food, saying it was the best meal they'd had in six months. He also heard many comments from the troops going through the buffet line about having real eggs. The club staff hand-cracked over 500 of them that night, along with all other meal preparations. 

All the effort put forth from Lajes personnel was recognized and acknowledged, as can be seen by the comments of Col. Tim McAteer, 82nd Airborne Division.

"I want to thank you and your entire team for the assistance and hospitality shown to our soldiers," wrote Colonel McAteer. "Everyone we came in contact with was helpful, professional and went out of their way on a weekend to assist us ... from the civilians working the terminal area, driving the buses, billeting (on and off post), and in the dining facilities to all the Air Force personnel on base. They all made a difference."

Whether rain, shine or even the unexpected happens, Team Lajes is ready to assist when needed.