Fightin' Fifty-Fifth achieves 20-year milestone in the AOR

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bryan A. Kloepper
  • 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron/55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  As of Aug. 9, the RC-135 V/W Rivet Joint from Offutt AFB, Neb., and the patriots operating in the shadows behind it have been continuously deployed and operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for 20 consecutive years.

Words alone can't adequately describe the significance of 20 years - especially when it took every hour of every day during that time to reach the goal you're trying to describe.

I'll begin by following the lead of the men and women who have been doing the impossible all this time. It's a simple equation: combine dedicated hard work, contagious patriotism, unyielding resolve, tireless sacrifice and an unmatched support structure - and trust that it will culminate with successful mission accomplishment.

That's what the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, the 55th Wing and all those who paved the way before us have managed to do for the last 20 years.

Where were you 20 years ago? If you're like most Americans, you were practically chained to the television, nervously and anxiously watching President Bush on news programs like CNN's Headline News, as a seemingly unexpected war against a formidable enemy unfolded. New terms like SCUD and Patriot missiles entered your daily vocabulary of many and our hearts reached out for Americans who were leaving home for the first time since Vietnam to protect our country, our beliefs and our way of life.

The internet was still in a primitive form, and didn't inhabit the common home. High-definition television didn't exist, nor did the 18-inch satellite dishes which swept the globe nearly a decade later. The compact disc was cutting edge technology and a cellular phone for your car was reserved for the successful business class and took up the entire floorboard.

It was Aug. 2, 1990 when Sadaam Hussein initiated the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. U.S. and Coalition forces immediately sprang into action and six days later, on Aug. 8, an RC-135 aircraft flew the first sortie over the AOR from Hellenikon AB, Greece and landed on Aug. 9, at a deployed location in Saudi Arabia known as Riyadh Air Base.

"On the way into the AOR, we performed every possible test and operational checkout of our collection and communications systems in order to ensure we had the best system possible for the upcoming mission," said Ronald Schott, a maintenance advisor with L-3 Communications who was on the first aircraft into the AOR as a staff sergeant and lead airborne maintenance technician. "I distinctly remember the dust in the air at 30,000 feet; it didn't seem real."

He, and many others, made the impossible a reality as they performed and operated in unimaginable conditions. Many of us watched at home as they endured horrific temperatures and blinding sand storms while still generating mission-capable aircraft for continuous 240hour coverage.

Today, 20 years later, the RC-135 and the service members behind it are still in the AOR and still going strong.

The RC-135 is the 55th Wing's primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform; picking up real-time information on our enemies.

During his recent visit to Offutt, the Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn said, "The reality of what you are doing in theater is clearly saving lives. You're providing the technology and connectivity and the awareness that lets those on the ground know what they are coming up against and know it well in advance of when they see it. It gives them the opportunity to beat it."

"We have been thanked many times by the aircraft crews," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Browning, a lead jet engine specialist currently deployed. "They said if we had not gotten the jet into the air when we did, we would not have collected info that saved a convoy or prevented an ambush."

763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron Commander Lt. Col Richard Rosa is on his 17th deployment to the AOR.

"As I have said many times before, a milestone like this is a total team effort ... while many things have changed, like the location, the lodging conditions, the areas we operate, one thing is the same ... our team of professionals is unsurpassed," Colonel Rosa said. "We have the best of the best when it comes to our people in both ops and maintenance. They always willingly go the extra mile and never fail to deliver when all the chips are on the table. It is truly an honor to be a part of such a remarkable achievement and I am humbled by the experience."

"The sheer fact that the mighty Rivet Joint has adapted consistently over all of these years to the ever-changing battle space speaks volumes to the professionals that support, maintain and operate it," said Brig. Gen. Randy Kee, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "The Rivet Joint is a premier platform in the 379th AEW. Day after day, month after month and year after year, a continuous rotation of people and aircraft provide absolutely seamless support to the warfighter."

After his first Operation Enduring Freedom RJ mission with the 763rd ERS, General Kee said he can now relay first-hand the dedication and tenaciousness of this team in prosecuting their tasks from a "Mission First" spirit.

"Their intensity and professionalism throughout a nearly 17-hour duty was magnificent at a minimum. Without question I am honored to serve with professionals whose noble efforts directly correlate to lives saved on the ground each and every day ... and my appreciation extends to my good friend (Brig. Gen. John N.T.) Shanahan and the entire Offutt team for their continued sacrifice ... which ensures our success," General Kee added.

In commemoration of this historic event, Aircraft 4135, which flew the second sortie in the AOR, was chosen to fly 20 years later on Aug. 9.