20th LRS Airmen deploy ESTA

By 2nd Lt. Tony Richardson, 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published January 27, 2010

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Senior Airman Alexander Logan (left), 16th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and Staff Sgt. Chris Deibel, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialist, safely guide an F-16 engine into the cargo bay of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

1 of 6

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Senior Airman Alexander Logan (left), 16th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and Staff Sgt. Chris Deibel, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialist, safely guide an F-16 engine into the cargo bay of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Technical Sgt. Mark Anderson, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialist, uses a forklift to load an emergency response trailer onto a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

2 of 6

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Technical Sgt. Mark Anderson, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialist, uses a forklift to load an emergency response trailer onto a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Staff Sgt. Brian Teachout (left) and Staff Sgt. Chris Deibel, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialists, use chains to secure a nitrogen cart to the floor of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

3 of 6

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Staff Sgt. Brian Teachout (left) and Staff Sgt. Chris Deibel, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialists, use chains to secure a nitrogen cart to the floor of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

4 of 6

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Senior Airman Alexander Logan (left), 16th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and Staff Sgt. Chris Deibel, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialist, check for possible obstructions as they safely guide an F-16 engine into the cargo bay of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airmen of the 16th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron position an F-16 pod in the cargo compartment of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. The cargo must be strategically positioned to ensure safety of flight, optimize weight distribution and maximize fuel efficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

5 of 6

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airmen of the 16th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron position an F-16 pod in the cargo compartment of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. The cargo must be strategically positioned to ensure safety of flight, optimize weight distribution and maximize fuel efficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Staff Sgt. Chris Deibel, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialist, uses chains to secure a nitrogen cart to the floor of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

6 of 6

DOWNLOAD HI-RES / PHOTO DETAILS

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Staff Sgt. Chris Deibel, 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation specialist, uses chains to secure a nitrogen cart to the floor of a C-17 Jan. 24. The equipment, which belongs to the 77th Fighter Squadron, is headed to Iraq in support of their ongoing deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Tony Richardson)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The en-route support team advanced, more commonly known as ESTA, departed Sunday in support of the 77th Air Expeditionary Force deployment.

Airmen of the 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron played a critical role in preparing ESTA passengers and equipment for transport via a C-17 Globemaster.

The ESTA mission is to provide support for the 77th Fighter Squadron's F-16 fighter jets as they fly from Shaw to Iraq.

The 20th LRS air transportation specialists are responsible for safely loading cargo and equipment to support Air Force requirements like deployments. From warfighting equipment to humanitarian efforts, this organization works tirelessly to ensure supplies are in pristine condition when they reach their destinations.

Besides the 77th FS pilots, the ESTA was the last of more than 350 Airmen to depart on a four-month Iraq deployment.

Shaw Air Force Base

20th LRS Airmen deploy ESTA