Refueling squadron is a crucial link to Operation Northern Watch

INCIRLIK, Turkey (USTCNS) --- Whether it's fighters, bombers or helicopters, there's one thing each of them needs -- fuel.

For the men and women of the 22nd Expeditionary Refueling Squadron assigned here from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., it's all about doing it right.

The mission for this unit is to provide fuel for the coalition aircraft participating in Operation Northern Watch.

With years of training for missions like this, the 22nd EARS is prepared to handle contingencies such as ONW.

Maintenance teams show up to work hours before the aircrews to make sure the aircraft is ready to fly and often stay late into the evening to prepare for the next day's flights. According to officials, the hard work is paying off because the unit is 100 percent fully mission capable.

Like the squadron commander, the crew knows that unlike the training exercises, operations here are the real deal.

"There's no training here whatsoever," said Lt. Col. Dave Henderson, commander of the 22nd EARS. "When you're up in the air, you have to stay on your toes. Every mission is for real, and there's no room for error."

According to Brig. Gen. Bob Dulaney, co-commander of the combined task force, what makes a mission successful is when all the players know their role in the big picture. At the beginning of every rotation, Dulaney tells the incoming troops the scope of the mission.

After hearing Dulaney's thoughts on the mission, it all came to light for one of the troops assigned to the 22nd EARS.

"I knew the mission was important, said Senior Airman Eric Hunt, a crew chief with the 22nd EARS, but I had no idea prior to hearing Gen. Dulaney speak that we are truly doing good things here - things that are making a difference in people's lives."

Senior Airman Steve Thomas, a guidance and control specialist assigned to the 22nd EARS, agreed.

"This is my first time deployed here, and it's really good to see that what I do can make a difference to so many people," said Thomas. "I'm just really happy to be here because I know it's the right thing." (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).