Lajes supports Egyptian C-130

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  It's not just a saying that Lajes Airmen, including Portuguese and Americans, are a vital part of ensuring airpower gets across the Atlantic. An Egyptian C-130 Hercules that landed during a mission to refuel at Lajes Field, Azores, Feb. 20 received help from Team Lajes members.

The aircraft and its crew were attended to by Airmen and were offered a bit of the Lajes mission. Part of the services provided included transient alert and billeting support.

"To provide assistance to a third-world country is a great learning experience," said Senior Airman Matthew Shoppell, 65th Operations Support Squadron's transient alert/crash recovery technician. "It allows us to assist a fellow non-NATO-ally country with any requests they may need. It also assists the wing in maintaining a bilateral relationship with Egypt."

The next day, before the aircraft and its 16 Egyptian aircrew departed Lajes, Airmen of the 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron supplied the team with more than 5,400 gallons of JP-8 fuel.

The U.S. version of the Egyptian C-130 operates throughout the U.S. Air Force major commands.

The C-130 aircraft perform roles such as airlift support, aero-medical missions, weather reconnaissance, aerial spray missions, firefighting duties and natural disaster relief missions.

According to Airmen at Lajes, providing support for American and foreign transient aircraft and crew members is a rewarding job because it showcases the mission of Lajes to the world.

Airman Shoppell describes the job as a fascinating opportunity, "because it allows us to explore different aircraft that we normally are not used to."

"It also allows us to communicate with aircrew and maintainers from around the world," added Airman Shoppell.