932nd Operations Support Flight primed for new, unique mission

  • Published
  • By TSgt. Dan Oliver
  • 932nd Airlift Wing
Scott AFB, IL --  The 932nd Airlift Wing’s new mission has sparked changes on several fronts. Leading the way is the 932nd Operations Support Flight, where all the action starts.
The 932nd OSF was created to meet the challenges of distinguished visitor (DV) and Special Air Missions (SAM) airlift. This includes air transport of government officials, senior military leadership, and other dignitaries from the U.S. and other nations.
“There is a real buzz for the DV mission and the tempo is just going to increase this year,” said Lt. Col. James Vasatka, the OSF commander. “We’re about mission management from initial planning to completion.”
The operations planning involve every detail required to accomplish a DV transport mission. Checklists, briefings and interagency coordination are the rule-of-thumb for the OSF team.
Staffing-wise, the OSF plans to eventually have 15 members and potentially more with the addition of the C-40C aircraft and active duty personnel. It will be an almost 50-50 mix of Air Reserve Technicians (ART) and traditional reservists. The demands of DV airlift require that there are trained air operations specialists always ready. The OSF recently setup shop inside the 932nd Maintenance Group building.
Maj. James McIntyre, deputy OSF commander and an ART, said they will rely on life support, intelligence, aircrew tactics, current operations, operation plans, and more to prepare for a distinguished visitor mission.
“Because the mission is so visible, we must have a mistake-free environment,” he said.
The DV mission planning is comprehensive and has significant new facets that medical evacuation didn’t require.
For example, the C9-C DV passengers and crew may travel to other countries, which means a larger role for intelligence and security, Major McIntyre said. Also, the OSF will coordinate with U.S. and foreign diplomatic personnel for visas and other operational requirements per mission needs.
“Our wing intelligence, and security personnel folks, and others, will be key parts in the mix that goes into into mission planning,” he said. However, it all starts with our Current Operations from the very first phone call until the mission returns. Also, while not part of the OSF, but a very important function, is the 932nd AW’s very own command post staff. They are currently staffed with a mix of five ARTs and traditional reservists. Eventually, the 932nd will operate its own command post and be able to track missions as they occur.
Both Colonel Vasatka and Major McIntyre logged many years flying the C-9A Nightingale, and that same focus will be applied to the DV mission.
Colonel Vasatka said, that while the new mission is incredibly, highly visible, 932nd AW aircrews and planning staff take the same approach.
“The professionalism and commitment to the mission and our passengers hasn’t changed,” he said.
Major McIntyre added that it is a tribute to the Illinois Air Force Reserve wing members that the 932nd was chosen for the DV mission.
He pointed out that the wing’s track record and attention to detail was recognized elsewhere.
“The 2004 Air Force study directed by Congress determined, without hesitation, that with our wing’s high experience base, we could perform this specific mission.”
“The 932nd AW has come a long way in little more than two years,” Colonel Vasatka said. “We’ve gone from a corpse to the spotlight.”

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