Wing members return from overseas deployment

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Richard Curry
  • 507Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Personnel from the 507th Air Refueling Wing deployed for 19 days last month to Curacao, Dutch Antilles, supporting United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) in their Counter-Narco Terrorism mission. 

The deployment consisted of two rotations with one aircraft, two aircrews, maintenance, maintenance supervisor, combat crew communications and a Detachment Commander (DETCO) for a total of 21 deployed troops. 

According to a fact sheet posted on the USSOUTHCOM website, the United States has a vested interest in efforts to thwart narcoterrorism in the region. 

"USSOUTHCOM leads these efforts to halt the flow of illegal drugs into the United States and to support host nation efforts to combat the narco-terrorism, threats to legitimate governments, dangers to their citizens associated with the production and sale of those drugs. The impact of drug trafficking is a destabilizing factor to countries of the region, a threat to public security, and a threat to national security," the fact sheet states.   It continues, pointing out that 90 percent of the cocaine and 47percent of the heroin that reaches the U.S. emanates or passes through Colombia. Illicit drugs kill more than 21,000 American citizens each year and result in the loss of more than $160 billion in revenue. 

USSOUTHCOM assists these governments and public security forces of the region face these threats through training, counterdrug exercises, technological and resource assistance, and by fostering cooperation and sharing of information among partners.
USSOUTHCOM is partnered with countries of the region in interdiction efforts, helping to strengthen their public security forces, and sharing lessons learned. The U.S. role is a supporting role, primarily focused on training, logistical support and planning assistance. 

According to Lt. Col. Tom Hudnall, 507th OSF commander and DETCO for the second rotation. "Our mission objective was to establish operations out of a Forward Operating Location (FOL) and conduct air-refueling as tasked by the Joint Air Operations Center (JAOC). A permanent cadre, the 429 EOS, provided support functions for the deployed group in Curacao." 

Colonel Hudnall stated deployed operations consisted of refueling allied aircraft in varied regions according to the operational requirements. The 465th ARS aircraft flew 16 sorties and offloaded over 495,000 pounds of fuel. 

"The deployed crews and maintenance personnel displayed flexibility and their positive attitude in adjusting to numerous mission changes," Hudnall stated. 

"These changes required earlier than planned show times, fuel load increases, refueling track and mission duration changes. All missions were handled in the most professional manner and resulted in 100 percent mission accomplishment. Our coalition partner praised our operation by saying, "this is the best support we've ever had -- your people do great work." Hudnall stated.