Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Staff Sgt. Kyle McGann enjoys removing a vehicle towing device March 16, 2014, during EOD demolition day at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. McGann is a 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician and responsible for robot operation during EOD missions and ammunition accountability. The Molalla, Ore. native, is deployed from the 627th Civil Engineering Squadron, Patrick Air Force Base, Calif. More than 1,200 Operation Enduring Freedom Airmen are deployed in Joint Expeditionary Tasking and Individual Augmentee-status to conduct non-traditional Air Force missions with joint-service partners throughout Afghanistan. McGann and more than 350 other Airmen serve in JET/IA positions throughout Afghanistan's Regional Command South, Southwest and West attached to the U.S. Air Force 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron at Kandahar AF. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)JET Airmen supporting Operation Enduring Freedom
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Kyle McGann removes a vehicle towing device March 16, 2014, during explosive ordinance disposal demolition day at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. McGann is a 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician and responsible for robot operation during EOD missions and ammunition accountability. McGann and more than 350 other Airmen serve in JET/IA positions throughout Afghanistan's Regional Command South, Southwest and West attached to the U.S. Air Force 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron at Kandahar AF. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Staff Sgt. Kyle McGann digs mud from under a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle March 16, 2014, during demolition day at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. McGann is a 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)JET Airmen supporting Operation Enduring Freedom
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Kyle McGann digs mud from under a mine resistant ambush protected, or MRAP, vehicle March 16, 2014, during demolition day at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. McGann is a 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron, explosive ordnance disposal technician. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron, walk toward a blast pit after detonating four 500-pound bombs March 16, 2014, during demolition day at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. Demolition day is designed for EOD technicians to train for future mission. More than 1,200 Operation Enduring Freedom Airmen are deployed in Joint Expeditionary Tasking and Individual Augmentee-status to conduct non-traditional Air Force missions with joint-service partners throughout Afghanistan. More than 350 other Airmen serve in JET/IA positions throughout Afghanistan's Regional Command South, Southwest and West attached to the U.S. Air Force 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron at Kandahar. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)JET Airmen supporting Operation Enduring Freedom
                        
                        
                        Explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron walk toward a blast pit after detonating four 500-pound bombs March 16, 2014, during demolition day at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. Demolition day is designed for EOD technicians to train for future missions. More than 1,200 Operation Enduring Freedom Airmen are deployed in joint expeditionary tasking and individual augmentee-status to conduct non-traditional Air Force missions with joint-service partners throughout Afghanistan. More than 350 other Airmen serve in JET/IA positions throughout Afghanistan's Regional Command South, Southwest and West attached to the U.S. Air Force 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron at Kandahar. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Master Sgt. Patrick Noppenberg organizes lunch food items March 15, 2014 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. Noppenberg is a 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of food services and responsible for ordering food, receiving and restocking supplies for a kitchen that provides about 1500 meals a day for personnel assigned to Kandahar Air Field. The Dallas, Texas, native is deployed from the 7th Force Support Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)Services on the front lines
                        
                        
                        Master Sgt. Patrick Noppenberg organizes food items March 15, 2014 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. Noppenberg is a 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of food services and is responsible for ordering food and receiving and restocking supplies for a kitchen that provides about 1500 meals a day for personnel assigned to Kandahar Air Field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        1st Lt. Kelli Walker photographs a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook, Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, March 14, 2014. Walker is a 1st Combat Aviation Brigade battle damage materials scientist. As a Joint Expeditionary Tasked (JET) battle damage scientist, Walker is primarily responsible diagnosing all damage of unit aircraft, reporting recovery processes and providing scientific data to improve future aircraft restoration projects. She is a Roseville, Calif. native, deployed from the Manufacturing Directorate, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)US Air Force 1st Lt. Kelli Walker, battle damage materials scientist
                        
                        
                        1st Lt. Kelli Walker photographs an Army CH-47 Chinook at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, March 14, 2014. As a joint expeditionary tasked, or JET, battle damage scientist, Walker is primarily responsible diagnosing all damage of unit aircraft, reporting recovery processes and providing scientific data to improve future aircraft restoration projects. Walker is a 1st Combat Aviation Brigade battle damage materials scientist. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Staff Sgt. Sheena Raya Amaya smiles before a pre-convoy briefing March 14, 2014 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. Amaya is the primary combat medic on mission convoys and provides clinic-level care for soldiers at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan.  The Virginia Beach, Va., native is deployed from the 48th Medical Operations Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)JET Airmen
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Sheena Raya Amaya smiles before a pre-convoy briefing March 14, 2014 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. Amaya is the primary combat medic on mission convoys and provides clinic-level care for soldiers at Kandahar Air Field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

JET Airmen making joint missions successfulPublished April 24, 2014
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.
                    
                    
                    U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
            **Al UDIED AIR BASE, Qatar (AFNS) --**About 1,200 Airmen are deployed in joint expeditionary tasked and individual augmentee assignments conducting Operation Enduring Freedom missions alongside joint-service and coalition partners throughout Afghanistan.
Known collectively as "JET Airmen", they rely on previous experience and Air Force training to directly support American and coalition ground forces.
"Airmen are contributing significantly to critical missions throughout Afghanistan every day," said Lt. Col. Richard Goodman, the 446th Air Expeditionary Group deputy commander. "Our Airmen serving in joint taskings are highly valued and their skills and leadership contribute immensely to the effort of the joint team. I couldn't be more proud of them."
"Back home, I'm a bench-level scientist, working on high temperature materials," said 1st Lt. Kelli Walker, the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, Joint Combat Assessment Team battle-damage assessor. "Deployed here, as JCAT assessor, I have an immediate operational impact by analyzing aircraft battle damage and providing timely and relevant intelligence to theater commanders ... so they can mitigate risks when flying assets."
Walker is one of two Air Force scientists tasked with diagnosing battle damage for all coalition aircraft across Afghanistan. Her reports on aircraft damage and recovery processes provide scientific data to assist commanders in improving future aircraft operational employment and reconstitution efforts. 
Walker and more than 300 JET Airmen serve in similarly unique JET/IA positions throughout Afghanistan's Regional Command South, Southwest and West attached to the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. From there, more than 200 Airmen support the Army's 4th Infantry Division.
"This is truly a joint and combined force," said Army Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, the commanding general, Regional Command (South) and 4th ID. "When I look around, I don't see Marines, or Airmen, or Soldiers, or Sailors, or Guardians. It is one force, one team, all pulling in the same direction, supporting the Afghans as they rejected the Taliban and voted for democracy." 
As the U.S. military consolidates its footprint in Afghanistan, 466th AES JET Airmen supporting the 4th ID at Kandahar are called upon to assist, advise and train Afghan National Security Forces to foster self-sustainment.
"Working with various organizations and branches of the military has helped me to become a better leader," said Air Force Tech Sgt. Earnest Buffin, 466th AES logistics adviser. "I've been able to take my experience from the Air Force and apply it to this JET Tasking. It's been rewarding."
According to Buffin, the ANSF forces he advises are responsible for nearly $10 million in assets and have made significant improvements in planning and accountability during his tour. 
Air Force medical technicians deployed as JET Airmen provide day-to-day clinic-level care to soldiers in support of Army convoy operations. Deployed in teams of two, these Airmen embed with their Army brethren to conduct both day-to-day preventive care and combat casualty care for the nearly 100 members assigned to a particular convoy operation. Working independently from the back of mine resistant ambush protected vehicles, prescribing medications to ailing soldiers, and responding to casualties after an attack starkly contrast with their normal home-station duties that often consist of greeting patients, organizing schedules and aiding doctors with patient care.
For Staff Sgt. Rebekah Miller and Senior Airman Nathan Friederichs, 466th AES medical technicians, their deployment became an epic journey. For more than 14 days, the Airmen provided medical support and care to Soldiers on a delayed convoy operation in Regional Command South.
During a tactical hold due to weather and austere operating conditions, Miller and Friederichs ensured the health and safety of their entire team -- returning Soldiers to the mission to complete the movement without casualty.
Explosive ordnance disposal Airmen of the 466th AES are also supporting operations in Afghanistan. In addition to primary missions, each week the EOD Airmen detonate unused and outdated munitions collected from multiple organizations to ensure improved safety for U.S. and coalition forces.
Airmen assigned to the construction management retrograde engineers mission at Kandahar and Bagram Air Fields play a significant role in ongoing transition efforts. The Airmen plan facility deconstruction efforts, monitor projects through completion and report progress to senior leaders.
Staff Sgt. Michael Makela, a 466th AES EOD administrative technician, is responsible for the accountability of assets and personnel while providing overall support for the EOD team.
"My job back at home consists of enlisted evaluation reports, reenlistments and things of an administrative nature," Makela said. "Here, I'm performing force protection and other duties that Airmen in my career field don't normally have the opportunity to do."
Staff Sgt. Jessica Segalla, a 4th ID Afghan National Army advisor assigned to the 466th AES, advises ANSF on the importance of security, linguist managementand the development of standardized logistics management procedures. 
"I like what I do as a JET Airman, not only with the Afghans, but with our sister services," Segalla said. "Meeting the challenges of this mission has changed my life forever -- I wouldn't trade it for the world."jet 



joint mission 



deployed Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil