Transient alert supports the mission of other military units

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Gonsier
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  On any given day, an aircraft from across the country may need to make an emergency landing, refuel or transport a distinguished visitor who is visiting Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Before this can happen, Airmen on the flightline need to be notified. They need to be aware of the type of aircraft coming in and it's scheduled arrival. Base operations, a part of airfield management, is responsible for notifying 2nd Bomb Wing Transient Alert unit.

"We are the authorizing agency that approves whether a transient aircraft can land at Barksdale," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Eberlin, 2nd Operations Support Squadron NCO-in-charge of airfield management operations. "When we approve the aircraft, they will tell us what they need such as fuel, maintenance or aerospace ground equipment."

The transient alert unit's mission is to make sure visiting aircraft are properly taken care of, so the aircraft and crew can effectively continue their mission.

Base operations coordinates the needs of the aircraft among the different units on base, Eberlin added. Base operations passes the crucial information to transient alert, which then takes over the responsibilities once the aircraft has landed.

The transient alert team consists of seven retired aircraft maintenance crew chiefs with a wide variety of experience from their military service.

"We take care of any aircraft not assigned to this base that comes into Barksdale," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Peter Beane, 2 BW Transient Alert project manager.

Transient alert supports a wide variety of Department of Defense aircraft, including KC-10 Extender tankers, C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, Beane said. On average, transient alert will see 100 aircraft a month. Other than military aircraft, transient alert also supports civilian planes if they need to make an emergency stop.

During such emergencies, transient alert is able to tend to the airliner's needs whether aircraft maintenance or an issue concerning one of the passengers.

Just recently, while 2 BW Airmen were enjoying a day-off, transient alert was busy supporting the Air Force F-16 Thunderbirds demonstration team.

"The Thunderbirds came in unannounced, and we had to respond to them," Beane said. "We got them in and out within two-and-a-half hours. They had a hydraulics problem and needed refueling."

The support the transient alert unit receives from other units helps them accomplish their mission, he said.

"We are grateful for many units on base, including refueling and AGE," Beane said. "Without the support from these units, transient alert wouldn't be able to properly maintain inbound aircraft."

The transient alert contractors are very passionate about their job, he said. Instead of staying active duty, Beane retired so he could get out of the office and back on the flightline doing what he does best; taking care of transient aircraft.