C-17 stage crews at Manas ramp up support for OEF

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, takes off from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, April 18 with a load of cargo destined for Afghanistan. For the past five weeks, three C-17 aircrews from Pacific Air Forces have been flying three flights nearly every day in order to deliver needed supplies for the buildup of various bases supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson)

by Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- Over the past five weeks, three Pacific Air Forces C-17 Globemaster IIIs have been flying round-the-clock missions from Manas to Afghanistan delivering special cargo in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom surge.

The "stage" operation set up at Manas included aircraft and personnel from 535th Airlift Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and the 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. The stage was established in order to expedite moving critically needed supplies to support the buildup of Afghanistan operations without interfering with missions already scheduled.

"We flew three missions a day, shipping T-2 matting that is used to build temporary aircraft parking ramps as part of the OEF build-up," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Rooding, whose role while deployed here was C-17 stage manager.

"I worked daily with the planners and deputy directors to rapidly resolve issues as they came up," said Chief Rooding, the focal point for each facet such as maintenance, air terminal operations center and Tanker Airlift Control Center coordination, and aircrew issues. The command stage manager was deployed from Scott AFB, Ill.

The unofficially named 'Manas C-17 Shuttle' played an integral role in the Expeditionary Mobility Task Force triangle delivery system to move special cargo delivered from Japan via contracted 747 cargo aircraft. In turn, the C-17 crews staged at Manas were tasked to take the cargo downrange for the buildup of temporary flight ramp areas at various locations in Afghanistan.

Once the cargo arrived at Manas, the ATOC team quickly offloaded the pallets.

"Without the support of the ATOC, the transfers wouldn't have happened," said Maj. Clayne Bradley, an Air Mobility Command liaison officer. "It was pretty amazing how we all came together basically from all over the globe to work this operation," said the major. "The flyers came from Hickam and Elmendorf, and we received air mobility support from Scott AFB too.

"A great deal of effort by many people and over a dozen units, not to mention several nations, went into moving this cargo and we'd like to let everyone know what was accomplished in the end," said Major Bradley.

During this time, more than 5,280,000 pounds of cargo and more than 500 troops were carried down range. This was in addition to normal cargo and passenger movement operations that recently have moved roughly 20,000 personnel and hundreds of short tons of cargo each month from Manas to Afghanistan and back.

"I'm on the 'throw' side of the cargo that came from Kadena AB, Japan," said Major Bradley. "Of course, Manas was in the middle and the Bastion (Afghanistan) CRT (contingency response team) 'caught' those special pallets as they came in. It's kind of like throwing a baseball around the bases to get an out at home plate," he said.

Most of the cargo came from Marine Forces Pacific to support Marines deployed to Bastion. The "total force" effort helped improve, expand and establish multiple Marine expeditionary force airfields.

"This was something special because it helped stand up another FOB and plus up another," said Tech. Sgt. George Gaines, who is the ATOC noncommissioned officer in charge. "Any time a new forward operating base is stood up it is special to us because we know we made it happen by getting the building blocks for that infrastructure in place and on time," said Sergeant Gaines.

"No doubt the most satisfying part of moving this cargo was when the last aircraft departed carrying the last of the aircraft parking matting," said Sergeant Gaines, who is deployed from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron at McChord AFB, Wash.

"It sounds cliche, but knowing we can put a 'mission complete' on our part of getting that equipment in place brings us that much closer to stabilizing the region," he said.

Deal could be near to extend use of Manas Air Base

by Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

U.S. officials could be nearing a deal with the Kyrgyzstan government to extend U.S. access to Manas Air Base, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters April 28.

Mr. Morrell reported progress in negotiations he called "reason for hope" about reversing Kyrgyzstan's previous decision regarding the base.

Kyrgyzstan's foreign ministry notified the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek in February that it had six months to leave Manas, a major logistical and refueling center that supports troops in Afghanistan. About 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo move through the base every month.

The decision was to end the arrangement the United States and Kyrgyzstan established three years ago that gave the U.S. annual renewal rights through July 2011. The United States pays $17.4 million a year to use the base.

But officials made it clear from the start that they hoped to get Kyrgyzstan representatives to reconsider their decision.

"We ... have been engaged in conversations with them about extending our use of that facility," Mr. Morrell said. "And I think we see reason for hope there that that can be worked out... We hope we're getting closer."

In the meantime, he said the military has been looking for alternative air bases in the event that that doesn't happen

"We have found a number of suitable ones" to support its northern distribution network, he said. "Should it become necessary to find other bases to fly out of and trans-load our personnel into Afghanistan, I think we've got suitable alternatives within the region."

Manas KC-135s revolutionize combat operations

by Maj. Damien Pickart, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Senior Airman William Allen (left) and Airman 1st Class Roberto Armas help load four cases comprising the Roll-On-Beyond-Line-Of-Sight Enhancement System "B-kit" onto a KC-135 Stratotanker prior to a March 12 mission at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. Airman Allen is deployed from the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and is a native of Nunn, Colo. Airman Armas is deployed from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron at McChord AFB, Wash., and is originally from San Benito, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Damien Pickart)

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers here delivers more than fuel to the fight in Afghanistan these days as it is revolutionizing the way war is fought by serving as a data network relay high above the battlefield.

At first glance, the cluster of cases mounted in the back of Manas Air Base's 50-year-old KC-135s does not look very revolutionary, but the innovative system and its use on a refueling tanker employs the Roll-On-Beyond-Line-Of-Sight-Enhancement, or ROBE, system.

Developed by Northrop Grumman in 2003, ROBE is a communication system that provides a seamless and secure distribution of information to warfighters, local commanders and higher headquarters. Its introduction to the Afghanistan area of operations has allowed data sharing between the myriad communication systems used by aircraft and ground units. It also overcomes terrain restrictions by facilitating beyond-line-of-sight communications.

"ROBE knocks precious minutes off the "sensor-to-shooter kill chain" and fills in the communication 'shadows' caused by Afghanistan's rugged terrain and deep valleys," said Keith Lareau, the lead Northrop Grumman software engineer for ROBE deployed to Manas AB to help aircrews better understand and appreciate ROBE's benefits.

"Now everyone has greater situational awareness of who's who and what they can bring to the fight," Mr. Lareau said. "The tanker and receiver aircraft see and find each other sooner, which equates to more loiter time over the target. It also allows aircraft with previously incompatible systems, like the F-16 (Fighting Falcon) and A-10 (Thunderbolt II), to communicate and share a variety of data. Most important, the air liaison on the ground can quickly identify who is overhead and which aircraft is carrying the ideal weapon configuration and fuel load to best support the situation he's dealing with."

According to the Northrop Grumman contractor, warfighters might not be enjoying the benefits of ROBE today were it not for the unwavering support of Manas AB and U.S. Air Forces Central command leaders.

"The support from Lt. Gen. Gary North (the AFCENT commander) and Col. Chris Bence (the 376th AEW commander) has been paramount," Mr. Lareau said. "If there were different people in their seats with less enthusiasm for ROBE, it could have met a much different fate. Along with many others serving here, they really understand the importance of how it is helping the fight on the ground."

"ROBE ensures I have the total air picture available as the air component commander and the combined forces air component commander so our Airmen overhead can work with the ground forces successfully," General North said. "To have a synchronized communications capability overhead on our tanker fleet that can reach down into the valleys in Afghanistan is very critical. This is a big difference between where we are in the joint fight today and where we were five or ten years ago."

The first ROBE system was flight tested on a KC-135 just four months after the contract was awarded in 2003. Pleased with the initial results, Air Force officials modified 40 of its 500 KC-135Rs to accommodate ROBE. Each aircraft received an "A-kit" modification that included several antennas and wiring throughout the aircraft, as well as a quick-disconnect panel next to which a portable "B-kit" is mounted. The Air Force purchased 20 "B-kits" consisting of four stackable cases containing multiple secure radios, satellite communications and a computer to power and manage the system.

Despite its initial successes and demonstrations in several military exercises, ROBE was not embraced by everyone, and many of the "B-kits" purchased by the Air Force remained shrink-wrapped for years in storage, quietly waiting for the right opportunity to prove the system's worth.

That opportunity came in June 2008 when the first ROBE-configured KC-135s landed at Manas AB carrying several "B-kits." Following close behind was Ken Albers, the first of several Northrop Grumman contractors deployed to Manas AB to work through technical and procedural hurdles.

"There were a lot of issues to be worked through to convince everyone that ROBE was worth the investment," said Andrina Luczon, a Northrop Grumman software engineer from San Diego deployed to Manas AB for five weeks. "There were software and crypto issues, a lengthy boot-up time, checklists and procedures to develop, and the perception that it didn't work well and wasn't user friendly. Ken worked tirelessly to develop most all the procedures we're using today from scratch and solved a number of problems encountered."

After a month of working with maintainers, communication experts and aircrew to work out the kinks, the first fully functional ROBE KC-135 took off July 13 for a mission over Afghanistan.

ROBE proved its worth soon after, Colonel Bence said.

"During the fourth mission with a ROBE refueler on July 27, our aircrew overheard radio chatter between an F-15 (Eagle) pilot and a joint terminal air controller on the ground," Colonel Bence said. "A forward operating base deep in a valley was under attack and in danger of being overrun. We could tell the F-15 pilot was struggling to identify and strike the targets without causing collateral damage or friendly casualties. We turned on ROBE and within minutes, we knew the system was a success by a comment made by the F-15 pilot. The fighter pilot said, 'I don't know where the picture (target imagery) is coming from, but I got it (the target) now. Thanks.'

"ROBE has proven itself the digital backbone of the communication network over Afghanistan," Colonel Bence added. "It has increased the effective communications footprint in Afghanistan by 200 percent and reduced the "kill chain" timeline by 40 percent. We're receiving frequent feedback that ROBE is saving coalition lives on the ground."

"It's like instant text messaging for war, with pics," said Lt. Col. Pamela Freeland, a KC-135 pilot deployed from the 97th Training Squadron at Altus AFB, Okla. As the chief of standardization and evaluation for the 376th Expeditionary Operations Group, her job is to guide new aircrews to understand and operate the system.

"ROBE is becoming a system we can set and forget," Colonel Freeland said. "The pilots have a knee board computer that displays a common operating picture of all of Afghanistan that gives us a better understanding of what's going on in the battle space we're supporting. Even the boom operators like how easy it is to use the system."

"The checklist was really easy to follow," said Senior Airman Steve Cantu, a KC-135 boom operator deployed from the 92nd Air Refueling Squadron at Fairchild AFB, Wash. The San Antonio native is on his second deployment to Manas AB and flew on one of the first ROBE missions in July 2008.

"I remember going through it the first time in training and then booting it up as we approached Afghanistan," Airman Cantu said. "Everything worked according to plan and I was really comfortable operating the system."

ROBE wasn't always easy to use and some crewmembers saw it as a distraction from their refueling duties, Mr. Lareau said.

"It used to take an expert 45 minutes to boot up," he said. "Now we're training junior Airmen to do it in just a few minutes a day or two after they arrive at Manas and they are successfully running the system on a combat mission hours later."

During her five-week deployment, Ms. Luczon is determined to put herself out of business and train Airmen to do the job.

"We're constantly refining and simplifying the procedures so we don't lose the good will of those who have come to see the ROBE and refueling missions as mutually enhancing," Ms. Luczon said. "As excited as we are to put ourselves out of work, it's been great for a software engineer like me to get out of the cubicle and see how I'm making a difference saving lives in combat."

Eight months after the first ROBE mission, a growing cadre of aircrew at Manas AB is recognizing the benefits ROBE brings to the fight. With a near 90 percent mission effective rate, the system continues to make a tangible impact on the ground and in the sky over Afghanistan.

"Several A-10 pilots rotating home passed through here recently and said that when they were engaged in close-air-support missions, the only target information they could get was coming from ROBE," said Maj. Paul Skipworth, a KC-135 pilot from Fairchild AFB's 93rd ARS, deployed to Manas as the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron director of operations. "Fueling the fight is still our primary mission, but seeing the demand for the data we now deliver is very telling."

U.S. Given Six Months to Vacate Base in Kyrgyzstan, Talks Continue

By John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - Kyrgyzstan has given the United States six months to leave Manas Air Base, but discussions continue for a longer U.S. presence there, a Pentagon official said today.

The Kyrgyz foreign ministry today officially notified the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek that a 180-day withdrawal process is under way, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

But U.S. officials don't consider the military's future at Manas, a key logistics hub for military forces in Afghanistan, a "closed matter," and will continue discussions with Kyrgyzstan about remaining at the base, he said.

"We will continue our discussions with the government for possible continued future use of the base. But we will certainly abide by the agreement that we have with them," he said.

The Kyrgyz order became effective today when President Kurmanbek Bakiyev reportedly signed legislation that the parliament in Bishkek backed yesterday.

The United States pays $17.4 million a year to use Manas Air Base, a major logistical and refueling center that supports troops in Afghanistan. Officials in Washington and Bishkek signed a deal three years ago allowing the United States to renew the arrangement annually through July 2011.

About 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo reportedly move through Manas monthly.

But Whitman, echoing remarks yesterday by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, said the base is "not irreplaceable," and that the United States will seek alternate supply routes.

"This is an important facility, it has been an important facility, but it's not irreplaceable and, if necessary, we will find other options," he said.