CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Activated just short of four years, a 315th Airlift Wing squadron prepares to shut its doors.
The 84th Aerial Port Squadron at the Donaldson Center in Greenville, S.C., will be deactivated at a flag ceremony here on Charleston AFB Saturday.
The squadron, which provides qualified Airmen and serviceable equipment to support aerial port operations in locations worldwide, was activated Jan. 17, 2004, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
The 130-member unit's daily duties included processing Airmen and cargo, loading equipment, preparing air cargo and load plans, loading and securing aircraft and supervising units engaged in aircraft loading and unloading operations.
"In addition to aerial port duties throughout the areas of operation, we provided training and expertise to the United States Naval and Marine Corps Reserve, the South Carolina Army National Guard and the United States Army Reserve units co-located at Greenville's Donaldson Center," said Senior Master Sgt. David Mullinax, a transportation technician with the 84 APS.
During its activation, the squadron had many highlights, including a deployment to Port Au Prince, Haiti, in support of Operation Secure Tomorrow, and a four-month deployment to Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait, where they launched 8,915 missions and processed 282,430 passengers.
"I am extremely proud of our accomplishments during the period of our activation and even more so when the 22nd Air Force selected us as its Aerial Port Squadron of the Year for 2005," said Lt. Col. Greg Vaughan, 84 APS commander. "Activation was, in my opinion, the best thing that could have happened to the 84th. It reinforced why we are here and what our mission is. It allowed Airmen to step forward and prove their leadership capabilities. It also provided the best real-world training that cannot be duplicated during annual tours or unit training assemblies."
It was the unit's leadership, Airmen and real-world actions that stood out to their commander here.
"The 84th is a tremendous unit with high morale," said Col. Luis Vazquez, 315th Mission Support Group commander. "They were always willing to step up to the plate and volunteer to deploy. They are very active and a supportive unit to the war effort."
Though the squadron will inactivate during a ceremony in which their flag is folded, its Airmen will continue serving. Many of the members will join aerial port squadrons here and at Pope AFB in North Carolina, including Colonel Vaughan who will assume command of the 81st Aerial Port Squadron Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Charleston Club. He will replace Col. Jerry Bishop, who will become the 315 MSG deputy commander.