Ready 24/7 - Fairford is open for business

[The Patriot]

Ready 24/7 - Fairford is open for business

05-07-2012 03:11 AM

Published:
Mon, 2012-05-07 11:08


Ready 24/7 - Fairford is open for business


Heather Joy


feature_story_photo:
Airmen stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, deploy to RAF Fairford during an exercise April 23. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joel Mease






Ready 24/7 - Fairford is open for business

by Senior Airman Joel Mease
501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
Ready in a moment's notice - it might as well be the motto for U.S. Air Forces in Europe's only forward-operating bomber location known as RAF Fairford.
A skeleton crew of U.S. and U.K. civilians consisting of airfield management, base services, maintenance, fire services and fuel support keep RAF Fairford ready for real-world events that would require the use of the airfield. In addition to providing global strike capabilities for an airframe like the B-52, RAF Fairford has proven itself to be the perfect training ground for downrange missions.
"We can provide a training ground with a fairly clear airfield, where (the unit) can make it as realistic as possible without having to go downrange," said Tim Hershberger, 420th Air Base Squadron site director.
The 420th ABS is able to provide everything a unit needs from contingency dormitories, fitness equipment, fuel for aircraft or vehicles, air traffic control support, security and even meals. The unit just has to give the 420th ABS what their requirements are for the unit to conduct their mission, Hershberger said.
"We're a well-kept secret, but we are open and ready," Hershberger said. "After receiving their requirements all they have to do is arrive, and we hand them the keys to the base. We have more capacity and capability then people realize."
Depending on the requirements and manning available at the time the base can even accept an aircraft within an hour's notice.
"The amount of lead time (needed) varies - the larger exercises are planned months in advance, but we may get a request and be open in a matter of hours," said Tony Maycock, 420th ABS airfield manager. "We have had the airfield open in 40 minutes, and that was with everyone at home! We can do it on short notice because RAF Fairford is kept ready to receive aircraft."
Every deployment to RAF Fairford is unique, but Maycock said the 420th ABS takes pride in being flexible to provide the best support possible.
"A big challenge is when we have the larger deployments and the personnel aren't familiar with RAF Fairford," Maycock said. "Sometimes it calls for innovation to make life easier for them and safer for everyone. For example turning part of the airfield into a car park and operating a shuttle bus to minimize traffic on the taxiways."
Every day the entire team at the 420th ABS takes great effort to keep the base ready, whether it is an operational mission or just a training requirement, Hershberger said.
"The people I work with (have) a 'get the job done' attitude, a 'whatever it takes and whenever we have to do it' mentality," Maycock said.
At the end of the day it's the reaction by those who call upon RAF Fairford that matters the most to the 420th ABS.
"Our customers never fail to leave here impressed by what we can offer and achieve," Maycock said.









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