Aerial porters help active duty meet mission requirements - Round The Reserve

Since the events of Sept. 11, 2001 more than 18,000 Air Force reservists have been activated to support Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. However, not everyone working over the past 21 months on a daily basis is serving on active duty.

Many reservists throughout the country are supporting the nation's war on terrorism as volunteers. One such person is Tech. Sgt. Jason S. Burger of the 67th Aerial Port Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Since 9/11, Burger has worked more than 300 man-days at his unit.

Burger said he is willing to do his part regardless of his duty status.

"Whether I am activated or not, I am just proud to serve the country I love by putting on the uniform every day," said the third-generation airman. "When I heard what happened, I called the squadron to see if they needed help. I couldn't wait to get into the game."

Burger is one of five non-activated air men within the 67th who have worked more than 300 man-days since the terrorist attacks. Thirty other reservists have volunteered more than 100 man-days over the same period of time. Along with their active-duty counterparts in the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron, the volunteers have been involved with all aspects of aerial port operations. In addition, they have provided support for security details and worked various jobs during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

"Our people stepped up to work long hours and numerous man-days supporting Hill, the war on terrorism and whatever else was asked of them," said Chief Master Sgt. David R. Sill, 67th APS superintendent. "There was never a shortage of volunteers to help, regardless of what the task was. The squadron is full of professionals who stepped up to get in the show, demonstrating they had the right skills to get the job done."

Maj. Mildred Bonilla Lucia, commander of the 75th LRS, appreciates the reservists' willingness to accept challenges head-on.

"The men and women of the 67th APS provided much-needed manpower and were integrated into every aspect of the operation," she said. "Their experience and training was a force multiplier, allowing us to sustain a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week schedule without mishaps."

Bonilla said her squadron would have had a much more difficult time achieving its 100 percent on-time mission rate for shipping munitions, people and cargo in and out of Hill AFB without the reservists' help.

To honor the reservists' contributions, LRS leadership decided to present the 67th APS with a replica of the trophy the active-duty squadron received for being named the Top Combat Readiness Flight in the Air Force for 2001.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Air Force Reserves
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group