385th supports the wing

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt Jeff Nevison
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 385th Air Expeditionary Group is a unique, multi-faceted group that has been setting some impressive airlift records as of late.

"We have a very diverse mission here at the 385th," said Col. Joseph Mancy, 385th AEG commander. "There are certain aspects of what we do that people don't realize. Not only do we support the airlift and refueling mission; we also provide humanitarian relief by bringing much needed cargo, food, and supplies into the AOR in addition to the critical air medical evacuation capability that our C-17s provide."

In the last four months the 385th AEG has flown 1,800 sorties for a total of 3,600 hours. They have transported 65.6 million pounds of cargo and off-loaded 21 million pounds of fuel.

"One thing that people are misled about is the fact that this is an Air Expeditionary Force deployment for the members rather than a temporary duty location," said Lt. Daniel Harder, 385th Air Expeditionary Group executive officer.

The 385th AEG is made up of three squadrons; 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

The 90th EARS is made up of both Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units who fly the KC-135s. The length of deployment can be anywhere from two weeks to thirty days here.

Both the 816th at Al Udeid, Qatar, and the 817th stationed here, with a detachment at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan, fly the C-17. Both units are active duty and deploy for 120 days. These units support Central Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe, and Air Mobility Command missions as well as Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

"The 385th is like a mini wing, comprised of many career fields, including personnel, intelligence, first sergeants, and logistics," said Colonel Newberry. "We even have our own clinic set up to meet our needs."

One of the challenges of the 385th AEG is the fact that they are a 24-7 operation.

"I like to call it a '120 Mondays' because there is no weekend for us here at the 385th," said Colonel Newberry. "It is easy for some to get complacent as we perform the same mission in the summer heat daily. However, we work together as a team to battle that complacency and focus on job number one: safe expeditionary combat airlift and air refueling."

Since the stand-up of the 385th AEG they have been setting some precedents here at Incirlik.

"Only for the past year have C-17 Squadrons deployed as a unit in its entirety to a forward-operating base," said Colonel Mancy.

Not only is the 385th made up of a diverse group of people, but people who are hard working and loyal to the fight.

"The Guard and Reserve members that are deployed here volunteered their own time, leaving behind families and careers to come out here and support the war fighter," said Lt. Col Mary Aldrian. "We never fail to get volunteers to come here and they are doing an outstanding job."

Though the 385th's many missions are in some respects set apart from the 39th Air Base wing, the Airmen performing those missions are still received the same, as anyone else in the 39 ABW.

"The wing has absorbed us; they've treated us as part of the team," said Colonel Mancy. "We appreciate all the support that Team Incirlik gives us."