March ARB tankers support Northern Edge 2009

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Air Force Reservists assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Unit provided 11,439,000 pounds of fuel to U.S. military aircraft participating in Northern Edge 2009, an exercise that focuses on tactical-level execution of U.S. Pacific Command training objectives in a joint environment, June 15 through 26. 

The exercise is an annual event that takes place in Alaska to help servicemembers sharpen their skills in command, control and communication in a joint environment, which provides flexible and capabilities-centered joint forces ready for worldwide deployment. 

Seven other air refueling units also participated with the 506th EARS to fly more than 166 sorties with 20 air refueling aircraft. The refuelers completed more than 14 sorties each day flying a total of 821.6 hours during the exercise. 

"I felt like we were really a part of something very important, especially knowing that the purpose of the exercise was such a high priority to the Air Force, and particularly the Pacific region," said Lt. Col. Alan Thurber, 506th EARS director of operations. "We provided the air refueling that made the exercise possible." 

This was the first year that the 506th EARS, currently deployed to Andersen AFB from March Air Reserve Base, Calif., participated in Northern Edge and provided lead unit control responsibilities.

"Our success really happened because the staff was so committed to making it a success," said Colonel Thurber. 

506th EARS, which flies KC-135 Stratotankers, was the only reserve unit among the seven refueling units participating in the exercise.

"It was very rewarding and satisfying knowing we were a part of an incredibly successful tanker force with accolades and kudos from the top on down," said Colonel Thurber. "The crews sent to us from all the other units were outstanding. Their attitudes were unbelievably upbeat."

The first sergeant also shared the director of operations' enthusiasm.

"This was a great undertaking and very rewarding to be a part of," said Master Sgt. Randall Cooper, 506th EARS first sergeant. "To have the Reserves come in here, from an activated location and lead an exercise of this importance and magnitude is an honor. The numbers, meaning the amount of sorties, amount of fuel offloaded, logistics of coordinating all of the maintainers, flyers and all other supporters are an outstanding accomplishment."

"The mission success rate was through the roof," Sergeant Cooper said. "We had several operational and maintenance hurdles to overcome and did so each time an issue raised its ugly head."

Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Teegarden, 506th EARS life support superintendent, felt the total force of Air Force tankers was seamless during the operations of the entire exercise. 

"The total force teamwork and attitudes that were required to complete the mission between the active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves was particularly noteworthy," said Sergeant Teegarden. 

The 506th EARS is here to support U.S. PACOM's Theater Security Package underscoring the command's commitment to ensuring stability and security in the Pacific region.