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Russian An-124 lands at Shaw

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers
  • 20th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Airmen from the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron loaded a Russian Antonov An-124 Ruslan with equipment and supplies for 8th Army in Republic of Korea here June 30, 2012.

The plane, about the size of a Boeing 747,  was originally sent to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., but diverted here because Charleston's runway is shut down for repaving.

"This is the first diversion to Shaw for 2012," said 1st Lt. Sara Ramirez, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer.

Shaw normally doesn't receive heavy planes because it is a fighter base and has a small terminal compared to bases like Scott AFB, Ill., or Charleston, said Senior Master Sgt. Frank Graziano, 20th LRS deployment and distribution superintendent. Bigger bases are equipped with more manning and equipment to handle larger aircraft.

"We received this aircraft because were the closest on short notice and we have seasoned people who know how to work this aircraft," he continued.

With only four aero-transporters and a week's notice, Shaw was able to successfully complete the mission and load 135,000 pounds of supplies and equipment, which included three mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles and two satellite communication units, onto the An-124 within two hours.

"LRS met this mission with just half of their personnel and were still able to make it work," said Grasiano. "That just shows the professionalism of our folks here and their capabilities to be able to meet the mission requirements."

This was also a unique training opportunity for the LRS, said Staff Sgt. Chris Deibel, 20th LRS aero-transporter and a native of Killeen, Texas.

"This mission was not only multi-branch, but also multi-nationality because it was crossed between Air Force and Army, and the United States and Russia." said Grasiano. "It gave a breadth of experience for our guys."

"I haven't loaded a Russian aircraft before," said Airman 1st Class Joshua Robinson, 20th LRS aero-transporter and a native to Anderson, S.C. "It was a totally different experience loading this aircraft compared to how we normally load one."

The Russian plane departed from here 9:15 a.m. July 2, 2012.