Whiteman warriors return from joint force convoy duty

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dilia Ayala
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  For more than seven months the roads they traveled took them from Kuwait to Iraq. Now after braving improvised explosive devices, hostile fire and the unexpected at every turn, the road has finally led home. 

Whiteman leadership, family members and co-workers welcomed home 14 Whiteman Warriors from 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron during a celebration April 14 at the vehicle operations building. 

The team consisting of 11 convoy drivers and three vehicle maintainers served in the 424th Medium Truck Detachment as in-lieu-of forces supporting Army convoy missions in and out of Iraq under the Joint Logistic Task Force-1144. 

"It was a strong NCO leadership that brought back this team," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Brian Hornback, 509th Bomb Wing command chief. "You guys took care of one another and that's what really matters. We definitely appreciate all you did. You are our heroes. Thanks for what you do." 

Of the many demanding responsibilities each individual of the 424th MTD had during their deployment, the team collectively completed 136 Iraq and 189 Kuwait convoy missions and moved 173,000 tons of cargo on time every time. Working as part of the JLTF-1144, the Airmen helped complete 535 Iraq convoy missions, traversing 23.5 million miles, and moving 694,000 tons of cargo. 

The team returned home with 20 individual medals, ranging from the Army Achievement Medal to the Bronze Star. Of those honors, the Airmen agree that their greatest accolade was returning home safe and sound. 

"The best experience is knowing that our entire detachment came back safely," said Tech. Sgt. Terry Oglesby, Tactical Operations Center controller during the deployment, "We didn't have anyone injured due to IED or anything like that. During final convoy when they all came back it really hit me; we are all going back with out any casualties." 

Senior Airman James Hale, lead vehicle driver during the deployment agreed, "That sticks out more in my mind then any award, any incident, any small-arms fire, any 30-hour day between download and upload -- everybody in my unit came home." 

Responsible for more than 160 Airmen of the 424th MTD, Master Sgt. Brian McGee, truckmaster during the deployment attributes this success to teamwork, "If I didn't have the controllers performing at the level they did, if we didn't have the expertise of all those 165 troops doing their job, making sure the mission was completed, we couldn't have been as successful as we were." 

In addition to the teamwork the Airmen exemplified, Sergeant McGee said their successful deployment and safe return home was also largely due in part to those serving stateside. 

"All of us that deployed want to thank our families for all of their support, the workcenters who are working long hours filling in while we are gone. We had one thing to focus on and that was the mission. Family and friends back home have a lot more to deal with. I want to thank them for helping us do our job and we did it good because we had their support." 

Family members were just as appreciative and glad to have the Airmen home.
"It is so good to have him home," said Airman Hale's wife, Misty Hale. "I am very proud of him. I knew that he'd do what had to, to get himself and everyone home safely." 

While deployed, in addition to working with Airmen from 27 Air Force bases, the Airmen also worked hand-in-hand with the Army. The Airmen agreed that working with the Army was a different, but positive experience, and they definitely took pride in their mission serving with them. 

"We've been doing the ILO mission for about five years now and I don't mind the mission, I just don't like the title of ILO," said Sergeant McGee. "We are Airmen, and we are doing a job we have been tasked to do. We are doing the job and we are doing it well, but we are in-lieu of nothing. We were asked to do this mission for a year, five years ago and we are still doing it, we must be doing something right." 

Airman Hale added, "[Being a part of the ILO mission] for the Air Force, I think it's good. The other services actually get to see how the Air Force does play a large part in the ground war on terrorism. It's important for America to know that the Air Force is not just [in the air], that we are also supporting things that are on the ground. It is no longer the 'Chair Force' mentality as it was years ago. I think people are starting that things don't happen on the ground with out the Air Force as well." 

With countless hours of traveling on the world's most dangerous roads under their belts, the 14 members of the 509th LRS are winding down and getting resettled. Their brothers and sisters in arms are only just beginning where they just left off.