734th AMS direct link to transient aircrews' destinations

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The Airmen toil about seamlessly, unloading cargo from transient aircraft, processing personnel and servicing aircraft - demonstrating the Air Force's distinctive capability of rapid global mobility.

Team Andersen's 734th Air Mobility Squadron facilitates all transient aircrews, ensuring they reach their final destinations. The squadron accomplishes this mission by using three separate divisions - the Air Mobility Control Center, or 'Command and Control,' the Maintenance Operations Center and the Air Terminal Operations Center, or transportation.

In particular, the Air Mobility Control Center provides coordination and 'flight following' support as well as all air terminal and maintenancesupport," said Major Graham Hicks, 734th AMS. "We orchestrate the on-time air flow of numerous transient aircraft, prioritize mission requirement, coordinate with higher headquarters, Tanker Airlift Control Center, PACAF planning agencies, host base units, Customs and USDA personnel, flightline maintenance personnel and air terminal personnel to ensure timely processing and repair of aircraft and movement of cargo and passengers."

While Command and Control acts as the brain of the 734th AMS, planning and delegating to ensure all the right pieces are in place, the MOC plays the role of the limbs, providing the muscle needed to make repairs.

"Maintenance recovers, services and launches KC-10, C-5, C-17, and commercial aircraft," said Capt. Charles Schulz, 734th AMS. "We fix all maintenance discrepancies that would keep the aircraft from safely continuing its mission, and work all other problems that are considered minor as time and parts permit."

The groundwork for maintenance begins within three hours of the incoming aircraft's arrival after securing a parking spot on the ramp.

"Maintenance will have a diesel generator positioned so that the aircraft will have electrical power once it hits the spot and shuts down the engines," Captain Schulz said. "Once the crew radios in that they are approximately 20 to 30 minutes out from Andersen, transportation will begin to move their cargo loading equipment, stair truck and passenger vans to the parking spot and wait to unload the aircraft. When the plane lands, it will taxi to the parking spot and be marshaled into place by a maintenance Airman. Once the engines are shut down, the power unit is connected and the other equipment moves to unload the cargo." 

While the maintenance side ensures the aircraft can take to the skies, the Airmen in transportation provide the heartbeat on the ground, pumping out Airmen and resources needed to move and process all equipment and passengers. 

"Our role boils down to providing ground support for aircrews to accomplish their mission objective as well as provide the necessary manpower and resources to expedite the movement of deployed personnel and equipment to their destination," said Master Sgt. Brian Bultez, 734th AMS. 

The squadron also finds time to participate in humanitarian efforts like "Operation Christmas Drop" and volunteer efforts, including the annual "Haunted Trail" sponsored by dedicated team members. 

"I enjoy the fact that I am an integral part in supporting  the Global War on Terror," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Taal, 734th AMS passenger services representative. "Knowing that I am putting passengers and cargo into the locations they need to go at the right time means a lot to me."