39 AS delivers troops, supplies: a letter from the desert Published July 11, 2007 By Major Paul Baldwin 39th Airlift Squadron navigator flight commander SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Members of the 39th Airlift Squadron are doing great things here. Important work is being accomplished at every level. Every person, whether at a desk or flying in the air, is working hard to ensure America is safe at home and freedom-loving people around the world have a chance to live their lives as they choose. The work here is important. Every flight made by a C-130 delivers troops and supplies to where they are needed most. Trucks and cars often aren't the safest or most feasible way to move stuff around here. That is why the people of the 39th Airlift Squadron are so important. They use the Herk to safely and quickly move cargo to tough places trucks and cars can't go. Although the work is rewarding, it isn't always easy. On one particular mission, Captain (John) Dobbins' crew had a tough decision to make. The C-130's air conditioning wasn't working and they had to decide whether to take the aircraft or wait for it to be fixed. A delay meant that some of the supplies or troops wouldn't be delivered. The crew decided to take the airplane without air conditioning. It was a long and grueling flight, just more than 10 hours of flying time. But, when it was all said and done, the supplies and troops were delivered and the mission was accomplished. The people of the 39th Airlift Squadron are proud to serve America. They know, however, that they couldn't do their job without the support of a lot of people behind the scenes, especially families and friends back home. They perform their missions with pride and look forward to a quick and safe return home soon. (This letter was used with permission from the 317th Airlift Group.)