Des Moines native keeps planes in the sky over Afghanistan

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Greg Biondo | A U.S. Air Force F-16C with the 451st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, takes off for a mission over Afghanistan, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, April 4, 2012. The mission of the 451st EFS is to deliver decisive airpower on target, on time.  

AFGHANISTAN

04.05.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri 

United States Air Forces Central       

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — A native of Des Moines, Iowa, recently deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Douglas, an F-16C Fighting Falcon mechanic with the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron deployed from the Iowa Air National Guard, is currently on his second deployment of his four-year Air Force career -- his first deployment was to Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

As an F-16 mechanic, Douglas' responsibility is huge -- fixing planes so they can support the folks fighting on the ground.

"Getting to support OEF is something that I'm proud of," said Douglas. "Knowing that what I do in here keeps the guys on the ground safe ... well it's a big job and a busy job."

Though this deployment has been keeping Douglas busy at work, it hasn't stopped him from making friends along the way.

"Getting to be here at Kandahar is a special experience itself," said Douglas. "Working on a [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] base, has been different. It's cool to see how other countries work."

Keeping aircraft in the air allows the squadron to carry out its mission of delivering decisive airpower to the southern region of Afghanistan.

"Our jets are more than 20 years old, and require routine maintenance," said Lt. Col. Travis Acheson, 451st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. "We couldn't do what we do, without having the high-speed maintainers we have here."

• Date Taken: 04.05.2012
• Date Posted: 04.05.2012 15:03
• Story ID: 86313
• Location: AF
• Hometown: DES MOINES, IA, US