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Shaw Airmen ensure safety at Balad

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Three Shaw Airmen are ensuring people deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, remember safety.

Lt. Col. Chris Ashby, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Safety chief at Balad Air Base, Iraq, is the 20th Fighter Wing Safety chief here at Shaw. Master Sgt. Greg Patterson, 332nd AEW Flight Safety NCO and 20th FW Safety NCO at Shaw, and Master Sgt. Butch Rutan, 332nd AEW Weapons Safety manager and the 20th FW Weapons Safety manager at Shaw, work with Colonel Ashby in keeping Balad AB Airmen safe each day.

The three Airmen have been at Balad AB since Jan. 17 and will be deployed for up to 120 days.

"My efforts prevent mishaps and enable our aircraft to perform immediate support of troops in combat," Sergeant Patterson said.

"We provide guidance on the safe parking of munitions-loaded combat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cargo aircraft flying sorties daily in the fight against terrorist insurgents and in support of ground forces. We also work with every organization on base that stores explosives to ensure they are meeting safety standards," Sergeant Rutan said.

"As the air expeditionary wing commander's safety representative, I supervise our flight, ground and weapons safety shops. Our goal is to ensure proper risk assessment of all personnel while deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, enabling the full combat capability of our fighting forces as well as support personnel," Colonel Ashby said.

He also plays another role in the AOR.

"My position is unique in that it is also a flying billet. I fly close-air support missions in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, targeting terrorists and supporting the ground forces engaged with the enemy," Colonel Ashby said.

Not only is the job challenging, but so are the living conditions.

Sergeant Patterson said the duty location itself is the most obvious difference between being stateside and deployed. However, being able to do his job and see it effect real combat sorties instead of training sorties is the best part, he said.

"The biggest obstacle for the wing safety staff at Balad AB is the unique combat environment in which we are working," Colonel Ashby said. "Safety is a definite challenge with mortars raining onto the base, improvised infrastructure and minimal lighting. Flight and weapons safety is also challenged by daily live weapons configurations and combat expenditures."

Sergeant Rutan said there are distinct differences between operations stateside and the operations at Balad AB.

"The operation tempo here is strictly combat driven. We do not fly training sorties here; every flight is flown with combat munitions. The base is ever evolving with new construction and facilities changing hands and primary usage weekly. We are faced with new challenges every single day," Sergeant Rutan said.

It's their job to ensure people follow safety rules.

"We stress that it is a combat environment and folks have to remain extra vigilant, wearing reflective belts, carrying light emitting device flashlights, using the buddy system late at night, etc.," Colonel Ashby said.

All three Airmen said they are encountering different personal and professional obstacles while deployed, but they all said missing family was the hardest.

"The only hard part of the deployment, of course, is being away from our families and friends. Camaraderie is great over here, and the workload definitely keeps us busy, but it is no replacement for coming home at night to our families," Colonel Ashby said.

"I could not be doing the job I am without the love and support of my wife and sons back home in Sumter," Sergeant Rutan said.

"Besides obviously missing my wife and children, I'd have to say getting used to the incredibly high ops tempo, long hours and around-the-clock operations are the biggest obstacles," Sergeant Patterson said.

Sergeant Patterson said his training has been vital to his deployment.

"Without my stateside training, I would be lost over here. Various technical schools have given me the knowledge that I need to perform the intricacies of my job, but also simple things like mission oriented protective posture levels and self aid and buddy care can be crucial to your survival," he said.

The contributions and sacrifices of deployed members do not go unnoticed, Colonel Ashby said.

"So far, the one thing that has had the greatest impact on me is the outstanding support that troops are receiving from the American public," Colonel Ashby said. "When we passed through Bangor, Maine, at 11 p.m., we were greeted by at least 30 veterans and their spouses, who shook each and every hand of the hundreds of troops as we entered and exited the terminal.

"What really hit home though was the sincere message of thanks that they passed to everyone. They are truly thankful of our service to the country. That made a big impression on me," the colonel said.