ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The 99th Airlift Squadron deployed a C-20 with operations and maintenance personnel to support commanders of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan Dec. 26.
The 90-day deployment is the first of its kind for the 99 AS and was a quick-turn tasking. The squadron found out about the deployment with only weeks to spare before the start date.
Col. James Hannon, 89th Maintenance Group commander said,"It made me
really proud to see everybody pull together to make this short-term deployment happen."
Another unique aspect of this particular deployment is that the C-20 is deploying with civilian and military maintenance personnel. The company contracted to provide maintenance for the C-20, DynCorp, is supporting with employees who will provide the same expertise while in the area of operations.
Len Campbell, 89 MXG DynCorp division manager, called the deployment historic and expressed enthusiasm for the challenge. "The team will operate out of a deployed location and operate throughout the entire theater," said Lt. Col. Michael Hafer, 99 AS commander.
"The VR-48, Navy Reserve here at Andrews, currently has the rotation and the 89th is replacing them," said Colonel Hafer. "VR-48 reports that the operations tempo is very busy. We anticipate the jet will probably be used on a daily basis."
"I'm extremely proud of the way the entire SAM FOX team came together to make our first deployment of a C-20 happen ... it is always great to see a winning team execute so well," said Brig. Gen. John I. Pray, Jr., 89th Airlift Wing commander.