Lajes helps Marines return home

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyrece Campbell
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  A Navy C-130 Hercules from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point, N.C., stopped at Lajes Field before returning to its home station April 25, 2011.

The 65th Operations Support Squadron's airfield management coordinated Lajes support to the Marine crew.

"It feels good when I accomplish my job," said Alvaro Ormonde, 65th OSS airfield management operation coordinator. "We helped the crew get out on time so they can continue on their mission home as scheduled."

The Navy C-130 Hercules was returning from the area of responsibility when it landed at Lajes on Sunday for crew rest and to top off its fuel.

"We get a lot of Navy planes from the AOR on their way home and they are always trying to stay on schedule," Mr. Ormonde added. "I helped them get all the support they needed from flight plans and crew briefings, as well as coordinating with lodging, fuels, follow me trucks, transportation and many other offices."

The aircraft and its crewmembers were in close communication with the 65th OSS airfield management flight to ensure they had the support needed for takeoff.

"Airfield management works like the central nervous system providing information flow to and from the brain, which is the aircraft, to the body, which is the various different services/offices," said Master Sgt. Robert Haner, 65th OSS airfield manager.

The Lajes airfield management team is in charge of coordinating prior permissions required for the aircraft to land here in the Azores.

"My job can be stressful, but I love it," said Sergeant Haner. "My job has a big impact on the Air Force and its mission, due to the decisions I make and the advice I give."

More than 200 crews a month, from around the world, use the Lajes Field airfield management flight to receive "notice-to-airmen" information, which advises the pilots on safety and ground conditions of the airfield.

Airfield management conducts daily inspections on the airfield's pavements and lights, and looks for obstacles that could pose a hazard to aircraft.