MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Online Schools
| Find Jobs
Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

A New Era of Retrograde Operations as Squadron Inactivates

JANUARY 8, 2015, BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) – Ringing in not only a new year, but a new era of retrograde operations, the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron was inactivated during a ceremony here Jan. 1.

In a time honored tradition, Lt. Col. Christopher Carmichael, the 455th EAPS commander, relinquished command of the squadron to Col. Michael Grogan, the 455th Mission Support Group commander, who furled and cased the colors, signifying the official inactivation of the unit.

“We’re here to formally recognize the official deactivation of the aerial port squadron and essentially say goodbye to the Airmen and their leader, lieutenant colonel Carmichael,” Grogan said. “One of our joint publications says logistics sets the campaign’s operational limits. In other words, the pace of the fight depends on the pace of logistics and you, our port dawgs, have set an amazing pace over the last six years.”

In previous rotations, the men and women of the 455th EAPS were charged with the responsibility of coordinating the bi-directional movement of assets from the U.S. to Bagram and Bagram to nearby forward operating bases. More recently, the squadron facilitated successful retrograde operations as the U.S. prepared to transition from Operation Enduring Freedom to Resolute Support.

“Although we’re closing a significant chapter by standing down the squadron, the mission of the port continues.” Grogan said. “It’s simply being reorganized into a flight, and to that end, we welcome our civilian contract partners into the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing fold.”

In his last address as the commander of the 455th EAPS, Carmichael expressed his gratitude to the Airmen of his squadron and pride in the feats they’d accomplished working shoulder to shoulder.

“I feel truly humbled and honored to represent the men and women of this squadron in a combat zone helping to ensure the liberty of the people of Afghanistan,” Carmichael said. “The people of this squadron are responsible for the successful retrograde of our nation’s longest war, moving more than 1.1 million tons of cargo over the past six years and 2.4 million passengers over 204,000 missions since its activation in 2008.”

Though the squadron’s primary mission was transport, the Airmen of the 455th EAPS touched much more than cargo. Over the course of the squadron’s six year tenure, they facilitated dignified transfers for America’s fallen sons and daughters, provided comfort and respite to those on the frontlines, and aided in historical democratic proceedings in Afghanistan.

“The mission of the 455th EAPS included safe upload and download of passengers and cargo, including the careful movement of fallen heroes who passed through Bagram Airfield,” Carmichael said. “It included the loading of airdrop missions supporting the warfighter, ensuring they had bullets and rations needed to take the fight to the enemy. It included the loading of ballot boxes for the recent Afghan Presidential Election recount, without which the first-ever successful transition of presidential power would never have happened. It included the collection and distribution of more than 1,100 pounds of humanitarian aid donated to the people of Afghanistan. It included the training of 27 Afghan national air force port dawgs, enabling Afghanistan to perform aerial port operations.

“All this led to the 455th EAPS being named Air Combat Command’s winner for the Largest Air Terminal of the Year award in 2013 and ACC’s 2011 Verne Orr Award as the unit that makes the most efficient use of its human resources,” Carmichael continued. “It’s an absolute team effort and I’d like to give my heartfelt thank you to the Airmen of the 455th EAPS, past and present.”

With the echo of their accomplishments still reverberating throughout the room, members of the 455th EAPS rendered their final salute and prepared to welcome their new commander, Lt. Col. Andrew Pate, the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron commander.

“Command is an absolute privilege and an honor I take it very seriously,” Pate said. “Port dawgs, your accomplishments are truly humbling and amazing. I welcome you to the 455th ELRS. We look forward to your joining the family and being part of the proud squadron we have as we continue to develop the logistics capabilities and provide those services that our wing so desperately needs to be successful.”

Related Posts:

  • Airmen Share Knowledge, Experience to Better Afghanistan’s Air ForceAirmen Share Knowledge, Experience to Better…
  • Arming the RPAsArming the RPAs
  • Ready, Set, RetrogradeReady, Set, Retrograde
  • Face of Defense: Afghanistan-Deployed Airman Uses Carpentry Skills to Improve BaseFace of Defense: Afghanistan-Deployed Airman Uses…
  • Reapers, Predators on the Prowl in AfghanistanReapers, Predators on the Prowl in Afghanistan
  • Guardsman Brings Diverse Background to Bagram’s MissionGuardsman Brings Diverse Background to…

Comments

Filed Under: Air Force, News

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Army Seniors Hope to Complete Four-Year Sweep of Navy in Rivalry Game

DECEMBER 14, 2019 – Since his fellow cadets stormed Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium in 2016 after Army ended Navy’s 14-game winning streak, Ryan Velez had waited for his chance to play in the storied Army-Navy game. Velez, now a senior safety from Fountain Hills, Arizona, finally saw action on special teams during last year’s 17-10 […]

Answers to Top Questions About ACFT Equipment Fielding

OCTOBER 14, 2019 – As Army Soldiers start preparing for the new Army Combat Fitness Test, behind the scenes Army logisticians are also preparing to distribute more than 36,000 equipment sets to conduct the new test. At a recent Facebook Live event, watched by more than 150,000 viewers, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston […]

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Sailors Get College Ready

NOVEMBER 25, 2019 – Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)(Ike) welcomed representatives from approximately 25 colleges and universities to talk to the crew during Ike’s college fair Nov. 14. This event was sponsored by the ship’s educational services office (ESO) and held in Ike’s hangar bay. Sailors were given […]

Why I am Getting Out of the Air Force

DECEMBER 6, 2017 – When I first signed my name on the dotted line to serve my country, I had all these crazy, outlandish ideas of what I thought my Air Force experience was going to be. Well, spoiler alert, they didn’t come to fruition, but what I got was a million times better than […]

Air Force Releases FY20 Selective Retention Bonus Program

NOVEMBER 21, 2019 – Air Force officials released details Nov. 20 on the fiscal year 2020 Selective Retention Bonus program, which includes 72 eligible Air Force specialties. “The Air Force works hard to retain our highly trained and experienced Airmen and the annual Selective Retention Bonus program is a key element in that effort,” said […]

Recent Posts

  • Army Seniors Hope to Complete Four-Year Sweep of Navy in Rivalry Game
  • Army-Navy Rivalry: It’s More Than the Game
  • Tinker AFB Lengthens Life of B-1 Lancer
  • Navy Starts Building Cyber Warfare Engineering Laboratory
  • DoD’s CIO Explains Advancements in Digital Modernization
MAINMENU


SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2019 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.