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February 17, 2017
Volume 41, number 7
Herc history honored: 37 AS celebrates 75 years by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Friday, Feb. 10, was a cold, dreary day on Ramstein. A blanket of dark clouds eclipsed the sun and sky, shutting out the light and dappling the landscape with delicate snow. Anybody would have wanted to stay inside and succumb to the stillness of a grave winter morning. But, above the thick curtain of grey, a group of aircraft thundered over the fields and villages of RhinelandPalatinate. The roar of their engines resounded throughout the earth and sky. As four C-130J Super Hercules, the Air Force’s beasts of burden, raced like mechanical stallions with wings, the Airmen of the 37th Airlift Squadron were making history — just like they do every day. The 37 AS celebrated its 75th anniversary with a training mission. “This year marks a huge milestone in our squadron’s history as we turn 75 years old,” said Capt. Zackary Williams, 37 AS central scheduler and squadron historian. “It is important that we pause to reflect the heritage we represent and recognize that we continue to make history every day as we impact operations across three combatant commands. “To be part of a squadron that has
Photo by Senior Airman Lane T. Plummer
Airman 1st Class Quinn Harris, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, peers over the skies at another C-130J Super Hercules flying over a blanket of clouds Feb. 10. During the Korean War, the squadron flew airborne assaults at Sukchon, North Korea, and Munsan-ni, South Korea, and aerial transportation between Japan and Korea.
so much history, to be a part of a unit that’s older than the Air Force — it’s a remarkable feeling to be part of that heritage,” he said. The unit was founded as the 37th Transport Squadron on Feb. 2, 1942, on Patterson Field, Ohio, as a component of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The
squadron moved to different locations throughout the world before being formally assigned to Ramstein in 1994. Since its establishment, the 37 AS has played a role in almost every major operation involving the U.S. and its allies since World War II.
Among its many significant missions, the squadron participated in the airborne assaults on Normandy during World War II, conducted operations during the Korean War, aided in the repatriation of U.S. prisoners See 75 YEARS, Page 3
people coming here to be able to see how technological advances can be and are able to help our military today and tomorrow. It’s here to educate people, and it’s also here to get people to nerd out!” Frierson serves as the AFCEA events committee chairman currently and was in charge of coordi-
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435 CRG puts enjoyment in deployment, Page 3
nating the winter expo. The expo also held “tech talks” with a handful of representatives from some of modern technology’s largest industry leaders. “Leaders in the technology industry often offer a candid, honest approach See TECH EXPRO, Page 2
LIFESTYLES
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association hosted the 2017 Winter Ramstein Technology Exposition Feb. 8 at the Ramstein Officers’ Club.
More than 60 companies showcased technology at the exhibit, which included computers, information technology, communications systems and photography “This expo is here for many reasons,” said Tech. Sgt. Donald Frierson, 86th Communication Squadron NCO in charge of client systems. “We want
FEATURES
Story and photo by Senior Airman Lane T. Plummer 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NEWS
Ramstein becomes tech savvy
Day to day with 86 VRS special vehicle maintainers, Page 6
Women storm town halls, rule men Thursday, Page 12