723rd AMS night mission

Staff Sgt. Jason Horst, 723rd Air Mobility Squadron, clears the wing tip of a C-17 Globemaster III arriving for a quick turn at Ramstein from New York Dec. 13. The C-17 was promptly loaded with cargo by members of the 723rd AMS, and launched down range. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kenny Holston)

723rd AMS night mission

Pilots and crew cheifs unload personal belongings from a C-17 Globemaster III after a long flight from New York to Ramstein Dec. 13. 723rd Air Mobility Squadron members later changed the two front tires on the C-17, loaded it with cargo and launched it to its next destination. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kenny Holston)

723rd AMS night mission

Staff Sgt. David Preston, 723rd Air Mobility Squadron (right), reviews a technical orders manual on a laptop after putting two new front tires on a C-17 Globemaster III as part of a quick turn mission Dec 13. Night time operations are a large portion of the Ramstein flying mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kenny Holston)

723rd AMS night mission

Staff Sgt. Ray Northcutt, 723rd Air Mobility Squadron, (far right) and other 723rd AMS members inspect the front left tire of a C-17 Globemaster III during its pit stop at Ramstein Dec. 13. The C-17 was then loaded with cargo and launched to its next destination. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kenny Holston)

723rd Air Mobility Squadron performs night missions

Published Dec. 18, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Kenny Holston
435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Making it happen overnight.

Airmen assigned to the 723rd Air Mobility Squadron do just that. When the official duty day ends at 4:30 p.m. it's just beginning at the 723rd AMS.

The night mission for the men and women of the 723rd AMS is a vast one, as they work around the clock loading and unloading cargo, performing maintenance on aircraft and ensuring pilots and crew chiefs have everything necessary to make a quick turn.

"Without the night mission, the day time mission wouldn't be what it is," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bryant, 723rd AMS aerospace guidance and control craftsman. "Parts of the mission that don't get done during the day must be taken on by us Airman filling the nighttime tasking."

With five to seven aircraft arriving and departing to load and offload cargo each night, the 723rd AMS must stay ready and focused at all times.

"Our nighttime operation is a must for loading highly sensitive or classified cargo," said Senior Airman Dustin Kennedy, a C-17 Globemaster crew chief. "Our day shift is busy, but the mission doesn't let up at night."

As the Air Force continues to wage the war on terror, the 723rd AMS night mission will only increase.

"When night falls the mission doesn't," said Master Sgt. Ronald Williams, production supervisor of night operations. "Aircraft still need repairs, and cargo must be shipped. The Airmen of the 723rd AMS take great pride in making this happen."