JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. –
For the 305th Air Mobility Wing, 2022 was a year of development and growth, taking lessons learned from the previous year and applying them to new challenges and opportunities. Below is a summary of major events for the year:
The 6th Airlift Squadron kicked off the year by hosting the first C-17 Tactics Advancement Course, designed to promote and strengthen advanced combat aviation skills for C-17 Globemaster III aircrews. “The course is designed specifically to challenge aircrew to plan and fly in more dynamic and challenging environments,” said Maj. Sarah Radakovich, 6th AS chief of tactics. The 305th AMW held the course five additional times through the year, partnering with three other wings and utilized these skills in exercises such as RAINIER WAR, which demonstrated the wing’s ability to generate, employ and sustain operations. January also welcomed the delivery of the fourth Boeing KC-46A Pegasus air refueling aircraft to Joint Base MDL. The KC-46 deliveries came nearly every other month for the 305th AMW. When the year concluded, the wing had 11 KC-46 aircraft.
Additional coverage:
Developing Mobility AF tacticians through advancement
KC-46A arrives to JB MDL with 18 AF DVs
AMC deputy CC delivers KC-46A to JB MDL
The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces began in Feb. 25, driving action from the United States. At that time, 305th AMW KC-10 crews were poised to support national taskings from RAF Mildenhall, while C-17 crews assigned to the 6th Airlift Squadron were staged at Pope AFB to support potential taskings. To support the increased requirements in the AOR, multiple KC-10s assigned to the 305th AMW were reassigned to support. The deployed KC-10s, crews and support teams returned to Joint Base MDL in late May. “The KC-10 is reaching the end of its era, but it was great to employ it one last time. It served its purpose well, so these final flights are really bittersweet, but we look forward to a bright new future with the KC-46.” said Capt. Robert Bedell, KC-10 detachment operations officer.
Additional coverage:
McGuire’s last KC-10 extender returns from CENTCOM
305th AMW’s last KC-10 extender returns from EUCOM
A milestone in the ongoing evolution of the JB MDL Innovation lab, Infinity Spark, took place on March 29, when Col. Timothy Mach, 305th AMW Vice Commander, signed a ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding with the President of Ocean County Community College to establish a relationship between the college and the lab. “These joint efforts have secured a commitment to legacy opportunities which promise perpetual growth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics collaboration,” said Master Sgt. Steven Hoare, lab superintendent. This relationship highlighted the command’s commitment to STEM projects and outreach, as well as various innovative solutions in support of joint partner mission sets.
Additional coverage:
305th Air Mobility Wing leadership coins innovation lab team
This period saw the 305th AMW kick off its Readiness Exercise 2022, the first large scale readiness exercise conducted by the wing since 2019. The event began with a week focused on aircraft generation and Ability to Survive and Operate skills. The wing sent three C-17s from the 6th AS and six crews to operate out of AMC’s GREEN FLAG Exercise in Alexandria, LA. During this time, KC-10s and KC-46s also flew in support of the exercise from home station. “The goal of this LRE was two-fold — we first wanted to synchronize the different operating capabilities of three Air Force wings and then ensure their Airmen’s ability to carry out the mission under various forms of attack,” said Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Puskas, 305th Air Mobility Wing inspector general.
Additional coverage:
JB MDL conducts mission oriented protective posture gear inspections
Readiness exercise 2022 plays role in AMC’s strategy to win
In April, the first production KC-10, tail # 79-0433, departed JB MDL on the 26th of the month for the short flight to Dover AFB for delivery to the Air Mobility Command Museum. Representatives from the maintenance community were aboard, including Master Sgt. Paul Stoshak, 305th AMW safety office, whose grandfather flew on the same aircraft for its first flight in July of 1980. “It was absolutely surreal,” Stoshak said. “I was thinking about him the whole flight down there. Just memories rushing back and being a kid in the airplane. And then not only that, but just all the great times that I’ve had on the KC-10, just flying around all over the world. I’ve done three deployments with the KC-10, all to Southwest Asia, just all the good we did over there. [I’m] just really happy that the airplanes are able to be preserved.”
Additional coverage:
AMC museum receives USAF’s first KC-10A
His Grandfather Helped Fly the Very First KC-10. He Was on Its Last Flight
On July 14, Col. Elizabeth Hanson assumed command of the 305th AMW. The wing change of command, overseen by Eighteenth Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Bibb, highlighted a change of leadership across the wing that welcomed seven new commanders. Col. Scott Wiederholt departed the 305th AMW for his next assignment as vice commander of the USAF Expeditionary Center. At the ceremony, Col Wiederholt remarked, “It has been a privilege. The strides that this organization made in the past few years will be foundational to enable the execution of our nation’s future. I know you [Hanson] will lead the 305th well, and I know you will raise the bar even higher.”
Additional coverage: 305 AMW welcomes new wing commander
In mid-August, the 305th APS handled an expedited $75 million munition package directed by President Joe Biden for security assistance to Ukraine in support of their defense against Russian aggression. The port unloaded 12 trucks and prepared, loaded, planned and uploaded over 230 short tons of equipment and 476,000 kilograms Net Explosive Weight on five special airlift assignment missions. In total, 20 aircraft and 340 pallets weighing 2,664,036 lbs. with 333,338 pounds NEW of cargo were handled in support of the Ukraine in 2022.
Later in the month, a team from AMC conducted training and testing with the Airmen from the 305th APS and other partners on Aerial Port of the Future technologies. These new capabilities were designed to speed up and simplify the transfer of cargo and personnel and included the Android Tactical Awareness Kit for enhanced in-movement cargo tracking, Real-time Hybrid Internet-of-things Network Operations for improved vehicle checkout processes and Rapid Air Manifesting Application, improved manifesting software and applications for passenger tracking. The APS was one of the premier test facilities within AMC for emerging technologies in the handling of cargo and personnel movement.
Additional coverage:
305th airmen work around the clock to support Ukraine security
JB MDL demonstrates port of the future
Led by Lt. Col. Joshua Crockett, 305th AMW safety team was involved in initiatives both on and off base in the region’s general aviation community. The 305th AMW safety team brought greater awareness to flight safety best practices, including providing mid-air collision avoidance guidance throughout the year. “It was impactful for me to provide Airmen with the basic foundations and fundamentals on flight safety and making sure that they are well-informed, and fully prepared to take on such challenges they may face on the airfield, while working together through the use of communication,” said Tech. Sgt. Shane Sawyer, 305th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector.
Additional coverage:
JB MDL maintenance and operations join forces for the 305 AMW
On September 9, Lt. Col. Skylar Rollins assumed command of the 911th ARS in a ceremony held at Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC. This event was presided over by Hanson. While the 911th has been assigned to the 305th AMW since July of 2020, the squadron had not been manned or resourced until Sept. 2022. “I’m excited to see where this partnership takes the KC-46A Pegasus enterprise. Together with our new partners at the 305th, we will project and sustain combat capability in defense of the greatest nation in the world,” Rollins said.
Additional coverage:
305 AMW activates 911th Air Refueling Squadron
In September, the 6th AS and 305 AMXS entered the deployable “bin” under the new AF Force Generation model. Several months of preparation took place for the squadrons to align the resources and training needed for potential world-wide deployment. These units were heavily tasked by AMC to support missions around the globe from the Middle East to Europe to the Pacific from home station.
Additional coverage:
6th AS conducts ACE training to prepare for AFFORGEN transition
6th AS increases lethality to become AFFORGEN ready
At the same time the 6th AS ramped up operations, the 305th APS executed a short notice Joint Inspection for high-priority relief supplies to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. The aerial porters validated the airworthiness of four support vehicles and one pallet, totaling over 55,000 lbs. Three members of the squadron went on this Air Force One support mission, supplying potable water to the President’s team, while surveying the damage and recovery efforts. On October 2, the APS and 605th MXS deployed five Airmen and five pieces of support equipment to Fort Myers, FL, in support of a follow-up visit by President Biden to survey damage and local recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian which caused major damage to the state. Hanson stated, “We had five team members that were recognized by name by the White House Military Office. This was a huge accomplishment and a testament to the professionalism and impact these Airmen had while on this high visibility mission.”
The team:
Tech. Sgt. Daniel Rose – 305th APS
Senior Airman Matthew Carney – 305th APS
Airman 1st Class Anthony Tersigni—305th APS
Tech. Sgt. Colton Bair—305 AMXS
Senior Airman Joshua Pence — 305 MXS
On the first of November, AMC Commander Gen. Mike Minihan and Command Chief Master Sgt. Brian Kruzelnick visited the 305th Wing. Their visit culminated with the presentation of medals to Airmen from three wings for their actions during Operation Allies Refuge in August 2021. The 6th AS crew of REACH 871, led by Aircraft Commander Lt. Col. Eric Kut, each received the Distinguished Flying Cross with valor distinguishing device. The recognition also marked a first in the AMC-era with the awarding to two flying crew chiefs: Staff Sgt. Derek Laurent and Senior Airman Richard Johnson of the 305th AMXS. The event celebrated the achievements by these Airmen during the Kabul Noncombatant Evacuation Operation in August 2021. “If I were to tell other wings what right looks like, it would be this. It would be the 305th,” Minihan said.
Additional coverage:
AMC command team sees lethality, resilience on display at 305 AMW
305th AMW pilot awarded by order of the Daedalians
After completion of its 18-month KC-46 transition on Dec. 1, the 2nd ARS became the first operational active-duty squadron on the east coast. The initial tasking from the 618th Air Operations Center to the squadron included three aircraft and two crews, with the support of the 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “We’re ready,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Vogeler, 605th AMXS commander. “There is a tangible energy in the air as I walk through the squadron. We’re excited to put this platform into combat. We want to test the limits, stretch our capability, and showcase our greatest strength – our Airmen.”
Additional coverage:
2 ARS and 605 AMXS officially employ KC-46 for combat commander tasking
