Airmen aid in Iraqi election ballot transport

Photo By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham | Master Sgt. Louis Carter, 321st Air Expeditionary Airlift Squadron combat aviation advisor, stands on the steps of an Iraqi C-130E after completing a pre-flight inspection here Feb. 2. The C-130 was one of two aircraft on its way to pick up Iraqi election ballot boxes. Sergeant Carter is deployed from the 550th Special Operations Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.  

SATHER AIR BASE, IRAQ

02.03.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham 

U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team

By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- Members from the 321st Air Expeditionary Airlift Squadron did their part in assisting Iraq in the election process Feb. 2.

While many service members were watching the final moments of Superbowl XLIII, Maj. Scott Volk, Capt. Chris Dickens, both C-130 evaluation pilots and aviation advisors for the Iraqi air force, and Master Sgt. Louis Carter, 321st AEAS combat aviation advisor, were preparing to board an Iraqi C-130E on its way to Mosul to pick up election ballot boxes from Iraq's recent elections.

"We all volunteered for this mission, we all knew it was a part of history," said Captain Dickens, who is deployed from the 62nd Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. "Today we will be on the airplane actively advising [the Iraqi aircrew] in case they have any issues that come up."

As advisors, these aircrew members have played a significant role in helping Iraq become an independent air force.

"Our primary role first and foremost is to train the Iraqi C-130 pilots, we also upgrade other crew positions," said Captain Dickens. "We have upgraded a couple people to instructors. We also help them with their squadron programs, for example, we advise them on flight safety, standardization and evaluations and training."

These Airmen, who have already been deployed here for several months, said today was extra special because they were directly involved in Iraq becoming a democracy.

"It feels like you are actually making a difference today and this goes to us maybe getting home," said Sergeant Carter, who is deployed from the 550th Special Operations Squadron at Kirtland AFB, N.M.

"We are all very proud to be a part of this," added Captain Dickens. "The fact that we are gradually getting [the Iraqi C-130 aircrews] closer and closer to becoming independent, where they can operate on their own is a pretty big achievement, not only for us but for them as well."

The 321st AEAS is a squadron that falls under the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, responsible to the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, which is charged with standing up the Iraqi air force through the Coalition Air Force Training Team here.

• Date Taken: 02.03.2009
• Date Posted: 02.03.2009 00:46
• Story ID: 29571
• Location: SATHER AIR BASE, IQ