Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Capt. Sean Chuplis, KC-10 Extender pilot 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron,...... read more read more
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SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Capt. Sean Chuplis' hometown was once called "the only Western town in the East." But from thousands of feet in the air where Chuplis is often perched in the pilot's seat on the flight deck of a KC-10 Extender in Southwest Asia, his hometown is a place where he said he honors on every mission no matter which direction he may have to travel to get there.
A native of Shenandoah, Pa., Chuplis is from a town of less than 6,000 people. In 2009, Chuplis' deployed unit -- the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron -- flew 4,760 combat air refueling missions offloading more than 422 million pounds of fuel to more than 31,400 aircraft. As an average, that would be about 70,333 pounds of fuel for every person in Shenandoah. In other words, they had a busy year and that pace continues.
"We're a real force multiplier," said Chuplis, referring to the air refueling capability of the KC-10. "Having gas in the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week allows planes to stay airborne and support the fight on the ground -- any time day or night."
In supporting the "fight on the ground," think of the number 2,756. That's how many times KC-10s and their flight crews from the 908th EARS, located at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, supported "troops in contact" in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. That number, courtesy of Mr. Ralph Jackson of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing History Office, signifies the number of times KC-10s circled over a "hot" area and refueled fighter aircraft providing close-air support for troops on the ground in contact with enemy forces.
As a KC-10 pilot, Chuplis said he is a part of a crew of four Airmen -- pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer and boom operator -- who support that very kind of "frontline" air refueling effort on every combat mission.
"We deliver much needed fuel to support jets flying in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom," said Chuplis, who is deployed from the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. "It's a role we are more than happy to complete."
A 1999 graduate of Shenandoah Valley Junior and Senior High School and 2004 bachelor's degree graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Chuplis said he is proud to be serving in the military.
"My grandfather served at the end of World War II, but I'm the first member of my immediate family to join the military," Chuplis said. "It's given me a new perspective on life and taken me all around the world. It's an honor to serve in the military especially during such tough times in our nation's history. There may have been easier choices for me in the civilian world but I wake up every day knowing that what I do matters to so many good people. I consider myself fortunate to be serving at such an important time in history with such an outstanding group of people."
The 380th AEW is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.25.2010 00:59 |
| Story ID: | 47173 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 219 |
| Downloads: | 149 |
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