They are part of the best and the brightest Air Force in the world. And that’s why, when called upon, the men and women of the 513th Air Control Group gladly fly the friendly — and not so friendly — skies.

Based out of Tinker AFB in Oklahoma, the 513th ACG, is the only Reserve Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS, in the country. The group includes the 970 Airborne Air Control Squadron (AACS), which is the flying portion of the group; the 513th Maintenance Squadron; the 513th Operations Support Flight (OSF) and the 513th Aircraft Generation Squadron, or AGS.

The 513th Maintenance Squadron works with active duty maintenance teams and is responsible for support equipment maintenance, including all back shop maintenance support, and all intermediate-level aircraft.

The 513th Operations Support Flight handles all other traditional operations staff supervisory functions, such as military training and flight records maintenance.

The 513th Aircraft Generation Squadron works with active duty maintenance teams and directs all on aircraft activities such as postflight maintenance and aircraft pre-flight generation.

According to the Air Force Reserve Command webpage for the 513th ACG, the unit’s mission “is to provide theater and Air Force commanders with trained aircrews and maintenance personnel and systems for airborne surveillance, warning and control of the United States and military aviation assets.”

Established in 1996, the 513th is a unique unit for a number of reasons, including its people and its mission. Its most unique feature however, comes from the melding of the two.

The 513th is part of the Air Force Reserve Associate Program, which merges Reserve units with active duty units at active duty Air Force bases throughout the United States. The program creates Reserve units that share joint-use of active duty aircraft and equipment for their training while working with active-duty personnel.

“As Air Force reservists, our top priority is readiness,” said Col. James Kerr, 513th ACG commander in a press release. “We are prepared to put our training to use for national defense operations as long as needed.”

The 513th ACG webpage states that under the associate program, “reservists fly the same missions, establish autonomous Reserve units and maintain the same professional and quality standards of their active duty peers.”

“Our personnel come from such different civilian backgrounds and hail from all over the country,” said MSgt. Deborah Drain, of the 970 AACS Operations Resource Management. “As an associate unit, which is one of the things that makes it unique, our people work very closely with active duty personnel, not just with the flight crews, but maintenance and operations support personnel as well.”

“Working with people assigned to the 513th, with their diverse backgrounds, both civilian and military, as well as those people on the active side of the house, makes the 513th very special,” she said. “I was a member of the Air National Guard for about 12 years before transferring to the 513th. Since that time, I’ve learned how much I missed not being in the active duty Air Force.”

The total unit consists of 400 men and women, the majority of which are traditional reservists who serve on a part-time basis. About 100 are air reserve technicians, or ARTs, who serve on a full-time basis.

The 513th ACG was called to active duty shortly after September 11, 2001. Upon their activation and deployment, members of the unit flew many missions stateside supporting Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Northern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom. All told, the 513th’s E-3 AWACS aircraft flew a total of 3,663.7 hours and 456 sorties in all three operations.

“The 513th flew many missions supporting Noble Eagle,” explained Maj. Ron Hendricks, 970 AACS D-Flight mission crew commander. “We provided air surveillance around Washington, D.C., and any place the President or Vice President was visiting. We also were put on alert at the Tinker Alert facility.”

“The first time we crossed over into Iraqi airspace, it was different seeing the little green plots of earth the Iraqi people had been preparing for spring planting,” reflected Maj. Chuck Diven, 970 AACS mission crew commander. “I thought, ‘that could be my yard.’ It totally changed my perspective on things.”

Leaving behind family, friends and fellow coworkers is always tough, as any reservist will attest. But still, in their hearts, soldiers know that they must leave behind the familiar for the unknown because they have a job to do.

“During this activation, the deployments came so thick and fast that I found there was barely enough time to recover from one deployment to be ready for the next deployment,” said Diven. “I would say the key for me was staying in close contact with my wife through e-mail and phone calls so that small problems did not become big problems. I also found the fellowship of other believers at Tent City Chapel and other places to be very encouraging.”

“The mission can be very challenging at times,” said electronic combat officer Capt. John Bartoli in a January 2003 On-Final article titled “Eye in the Sky.” “Separation from family and friends is always difficult and it’s never easy being away from the greatest country in the world, but it is my obligation to my family and friends to play the most direct role I possibly can in their defense. Plus, there’s such a rush when I put on my uniform knowing that I’m a member of the best total force in the world.”

Other soldiers found their faith in this country as the encouragement and strength that they needed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Going overseas is always a challenge for any faithful American,” said MSgt. Steve Parker, an assistant chief technician with the 970. “Leaving behind friends, family and commitments can be difficult for even the most hardened road warrior. However, our commitment to those we protect and the freedom we help to
provide is not malleable. There is no greater country than America — a haven for so many different people from all cultures and nationalities who come here for the opportunities and freedom our flag represents.”

Parker believes that the 513th’s men and women are a tremendous example of that freedom, which, in his opinion, is not limited to the shores of the United States.

“Serving this great nation while in the 513th provides a unique opportunity to assert ourselves as true Americans,” he continued. “True Americans know what it is like to sacrifice and defend their beliefs not only for this country, but also for the basic human rights of others too weak to defend themselves. True Americans understand the incredible dedication to keep our flag flying.”

“But it wasn’t easy,” added Diven. “The level of uncertainty and intensity was much different this time around. But the gratification was much higher because we know that we made a difference to the coalition forces on the ground. The admiral told us so himself. There was never a question.”

“The Guard and Reserve are being used as never before, deploying at a rate that would have been considered high for active duty units a few years ago,” said 970 AACS detachment commander LtCol. John Trnka, Jr. in the On-Final “Eye in the Sky” article. “We’re proud to serve, but ultimately, we’re reservists with other lives and jobs away from the military. We could not do what we do without tremendous support from family and employers.”

Maj. Hendricks personally understands how important it is to have the support of an employer while serving overseas. While he was patrolling the skies over northern Iraq, he was honored for his civilian work as a policeman patrolling the streets of Oklahoma City.

Hendricks was promoted via an Internet, videoconference ceremony while serving with the 513th at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. His wife Yun and their daughter Alicia accepted Hendricks’ new police lieutenant insignia from Oklahoma City Police Chief M.T. Berry.

Prior to being activated shortly after September 11, Hendricks was employed as a sergeant with the Oklahoma City Police Department. In January 2001, Hendricks took the written exam to become a lieutenant, and scored in the top 20 percent of his department.

As an Air Force mission crew commander, Maj. Hendricks typically commands 19 crewmembers aboard the E-3 B Sentry AWACS. His technicians bring online and maintain computer, radar and communications systems while the operators on his crew detect, track and control aircraft over the no-fly zone in northern Iraq.

As part of Operation Northern Watch, Maj. Hendricks’ team flew with a task force of more than 50 U.K. and U.S. aircraft. Coalition fighters, tankers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets worked as a team to enforce the northern no-fly zone and to monitor Iraqi compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

“It takes a high level of commitment for our members to balance their duties here with their full-time (civilian) employment and family life,” Maj. Hendricks added. “Being activated for 19 months has put a tremendous strain on many of our members, but we have weathered the difficulties and look forward to our deactivation.”

Even in deactivation mode, the members of the 513th will be busy. The unit has recently taken part of its mission in a different direction. Members of the 513th leave their high flying, state-of the-art aircraft offices to speak to children who live in and around the Oklahoma City area. With their feet planted firmly on the ground, this mobile speakers’ bureau, called “Doing Something Wright,” was put into motion to mark the centennial of flight.

“Because many of the people in the unit have just returned from overseas, the school tour program allows them a chance to get readjusted to stateside life,” explained SSgt. and 513 ACG Public Affairs NCO Andy Stephens. The program also allows for the speakers to practice their speechcraft and at the same time put a face to the world’s mightiest Air Force.”

Members of the 513th who participate in “Doing Something Wright” share tons of information with their school-aged audiences about their deployments and their mission.

“It’s a win-win situation and gives the men and women of the 513th a great feeling about contributing to a future generation of fliers,” SSgt. Stephens added. “When a simple discussion can fire up a child’s imagination — especially in a world of Gameboys and online role playing games — then you’re doing something right.”