Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, October 2021

October 2021 News Thunderbolt www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb http://www.luke.af.mil
56th FW deploys Airmen to support Operation Allies Welcome
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Story and photos by Senior Airman LeALA MARquez
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
More than 70 Airmen assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing deployed to Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, in support of Operation Allies Welcome, Aug. 30.
The operation supports the Depart- ment of Defense’s agreement to provide transportation, temporary housing, sustainment and support to Afghan evacuees in support of the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State. Luke AFB personnel will aid U.S. Northern Command and Holloman AFB in providing temporary provisions of ground transportation, logistics, medical screening, and other general support for the evacuees.
“I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved and Luke’s role during this historic time in our nation’s history,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 56th FW commander. “Helping take care of the evacuees is one of the positive things we can do to make a real difference.”
Luke personnel responded to the emergent requirement and stood up its
deployment functions without disrupting the wing’s primary mission.
James Kibbee, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment manag- er, explained that affected units were able to identify personnel, expedite orders, issue mobility gear and bed-down resources to rapidly deploy Luke’s Airmen within 72 hours. The interoperability between the units is what made this successful.
The units that deployed personnel to assist in OAW included the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, 56th Communications Squad- ron, 56th Force Support Squadron, 56th Contracting Squadron, 56th Maintenance Group and the 56th Medical Group.
“Our primary mission will continue,” said Lt. Col. Daniel McGuire, 56th Lo- gistics Readiness Squadron commander. “We will do everything we can to innovate, team together, and generate solutions as our Airmen simultaneously support the operation along with regular combatant command taskings.”
Luke AFB personnel demonstrated resiliency with their ability to adapt and rapidly deploy Airmen to support the operation, while maintaining the base’s mission of training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen.
Chief Master Sgt. Felicia Williams, right, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron chief enlisted manager, issues individual protective gear to an Airman assigned to the
56th Fighter Wing Aug. 30, at Luke Air Force Base. More than 70 Luke AFB Airmen deployed to Holloman AFB, New Mexico, in support of Operation Allies Welcome. The operation supports the temporary provision of medical screening, lodging, and other general support for Afghan evacuees and their families arriving to several military in- stallations in the United States.
Senior Airman Gregory Mazzie, right, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics planner, assists an Airman as- signed to the 56th Fighter Wing with deployment out-processing Aug. 30, at Luke Air Force Base.
Airmen from the 56th Fighter Wing complete deployment out-processing Aug. 30, 2021, at Luke Air Force Base.