thedrifter
06-09-03, 06:24 AM
Marine Corps Maj.
Dana Arenson
Marine Pilot Reflects On Role In Operation Iraqi Freedom
By Master Sgt. Robert Cargie / U.S. Marine Corps
During the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Maj. Dana Arenson, a Marine Corps Reserve C-130 transport pilot, and his crew provided a lifeline transporting supplies to the Marines fighting the enemy. Arensen, a reservist from Baltimore and assigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing in Iraq, logged hundreds of hours in the C-130 during the Marines movement north towards Baghdad.
“I felt that I was a direct part of the operation,” Arenson said. “When items like water, ammunition and food were needed quickly, we were employed to ferry that stuff up to where it was needed most. It was very fulfilling”
Now, after the hostilities have diminished, he is still ‘behind the stick’ of the C-130. His job remains the same but the supplies he transports are different.
While planning for combat operations in Iraq, the Defense Department needed to consider numerous contingencies, including humanitarian supply assistance for the Iraqi people. In the event of a breakdown in food and water distribution throughout the country, the military was prepared to provide these supplies in the fastest way possible. This included flying in supplies by air.
The 3rd Marine Air Wing was to have a major role in that operation. As it turned out, the need for food and water was limited but the need for medical and other essential supplies became critical. Working with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force [1st MEF] Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center, the air wing transports thousands of pounds of supplies to cities and towns throughout southern Iraq, weekly.
Lt. Col. Christopher Buescher of Pleasanton, Calif, is the HACC’s air operations officer. He is a Marine aviator and understands the importance of air transport capabilities.
“It’s a matter of time. We will work with non-governmental organizations to get critical or perishable supplies to where they are needed,” Buescher said. “What could take one or two days to transport by truck we can get there by air in one to two hours.”
As an example, Buescher related an incident where insulin was critically needed in the town of An Numimanayah. The HACC located an NGO that had the medicine available and Buescher coordinated air transport with the 3rd MAW. Within 24 hours of the identified need, the medicine was delivered to health care professionals for distribution to those in need.
“The NGO welcome the fact we can get supplies to where they’re needed, quickly,” Buescher said. “It allows them to compress their timelines and create an almost instant impact on any critical situation.”
Arenson said that if his involvement has a direct impact on any of the people involved in the operation - Marines or Iraqis - he has made a contribution.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/june2003/profiles/pi060603a1.jpg
Maj. Dana Arenson, a C-130 transport plane pilot with the 3rd Marine Air Wing, flies supplies over southern Iraq. Arenson, a reservist from Baltimore, said his involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom has been “very fulfilling.” U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Robert Cargie
Sempers,
Roger
Dana Arenson
Marine Pilot Reflects On Role In Operation Iraqi Freedom
By Master Sgt. Robert Cargie / U.S. Marine Corps
During the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Maj. Dana Arenson, a Marine Corps Reserve C-130 transport pilot, and his crew provided a lifeline transporting supplies to the Marines fighting the enemy. Arensen, a reservist from Baltimore and assigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing in Iraq, logged hundreds of hours in the C-130 during the Marines movement north towards Baghdad.
“I felt that I was a direct part of the operation,” Arenson said. “When items like water, ammunition and food were needed quickly, we were employed to ferry that stuff up to where it was needed most. It was very fulfilling”
Now, after the hostilities have diminished, he is still ‘behind the stick’ of the C-130. His job remains the same but the supplies he transports are different.
While planning for combat operations in Iraq, the Defense Department needed to consider numerous contingencies, including humanitarian supply assistance for the Iraqi people. In the event of a breakdown in food and water distribution throughout the country, the military was prepared to provide these supplies in the fastest way possible. This included flying in supplies by air.
The 3rd Marine Air Wing was to have a major role in that operation. As it turned out, the need for food and water was limited but the need for medical and other essential supplies became critical. Working with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force [1st MEF] Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center, the air wing transports thousands of pounds of supplies to cities and towns throughout southern Iraq, weekly.
Lt. Col. Christopher Buescher of Pleasanton, Calif, is the HACC’s air operations officer. He is a Marine aviator and understands the importance of air transport capabilities.
“It’s a matter of time. We will work with non-governmental organizations to get critical or perishable supplies to where they are needed,” Buescher said. “What could take one or two days to transport by truck we can get there by air in one to two hours.”
As an example, Buescher related an incident where insulin was critically needed in the town of An Numimanayah. The HACC located an NGO that had the medicine available and Buescher coordinated air transport with the 3rd MAW. Within 24 hours of the identified need, the medicine was delivered to health care professionals for distribution to those in need.
“The NGO welcome the fact we can get supplies to where they’re needed, quickly,” Buescher said. “It allows them to compress their timelines and create an almost instant impact on any critical situation.”
Arenson said that if his involvement has a direct impact on any of the people involved in the operation - Marines or Iraqis - he has made a contribution.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/june2003/profiles/pi060603a1.jpg
Maj. Dana Arenson, a C-130 transport plane pilot with the 3rd Marine Air Wing, flies supplies over southern Iraq. Arenson, a reservist from Baltimore, said his involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom has been “very fulfilling.” U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Robert Cargie
Sempers,
Roger