Aerial port squadrons from across the nation converge on Andrews for Nuclear Security Summit

Airmen from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron and the 437th Aerial Port Squadron out of Charleston AFB, S.C., offload baggage from the Filipino President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's plane, April 12, 2010, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Airmen from aerial port squadrons throughout the Air Force deployed to Joint base Andrews to support the Nuclear Security Summit hosted by President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. The 316th Wing is leading operations to provide safe, effective, and efficient arrival and departure services for the invited guests transiting Andrews. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Perry Aston) (Released)

316 CES pack up temporary shelters following Nuclear Security Summit

Airman 1st Class Christopher Taylor, 316th Civil Engineer Squadron structural apprentice, removes hanging lights inside a small shelter system personnel tent at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 14, 2010. Members of the 316 CES broke the tent and other temporary locations around base down that supported Andrews staff working during the Nuclear Security Summit. The 316th Wing led Joint Base Andrews in providing a transition location for a number of foreign national leaders arriving from around the world in attendance of the summit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Marasky)

316 SFS secures flight line during summit

Staff Sgt. Mario Beltran, 316th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, scans for any threats while the motorcade for Chilean President Sebastia Pinera leaves the flight line April 11, 2010, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. The delegate landed at Andrews en route to the Nuclear Security Summit hosted by President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., which is slated for Monday and Tuesday. The 316th Wing is leading operations to provide safe, effective, and efficient arrival and departure services for the invited guests transiting Andrews. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Perry Aston) (Released)

316 WG Protocol prepares for DV departures after Nuclear Security Summit

Gerome Banks, 316th Wing Protocol specialist, left, and Lt. Col. Michelle Collier, 459th Air Refueling Wing Protocol officer, right, discuss the departure schedule for the next two days for attendees of the Nuclear Security Summit leaving from Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 13, 2010. The 316 WG is leading operations to provide safe, effective and efficient departure services for the invited guests transiting Andrews. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melissa V. Brownstein)

316 WG Protocol prepares for DV departures after Nuclear Security Summit

Gerome Banks, 316th Wing Protocol specialist, puts out freshly baked cookies at the distinguished visitors lounge in preparation for the Mexican President's departure from Joint Base Andrews, Md., after having attended the Nuclear Security Summit April 13, 2010. The 316 WG is leading operations to provide safe, effective and efficient departure services for the invited guests transiting Andrews. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melissa V. Brownstein)

AFDW displays superior service during 2010 Nuclear Security Summit

Published April 15, 2010
By By Aletha Frost
AFDW PA

Air Force District of Washington -- Andrews AFB, Md., became a gateway for the largest U.S. hosted summit in 65 years, April 9, when delegates from 26 nations and over 30 aircraft disembarked and embarked at Andrews to attend the Nuclear Security Summit April 12-13 hosted by President Barack Obama in downtown Washington D.C.

"This has been an unprecedented event," said Col. David Timm, director AFDW A3/5 Operations, Plans and Requirements Directorate. "The 316th Wing led the Team Andrews effort to plan, coordinate and execute Air Force One-equivalent support simultaneously to over 26 visiting heads of state."

The Department of Homeland Security declared the summit a National Special Security Event Feb. 6, 2010, setting in motion a chain of events throughout local, state and federal governments.

Once the order was signed to support the NSS, Air Force District of Washington presented forces to Joint Task Force National Capital Region as the 320th Air Expeditionary Wing and requested activation of the 331st Air Expeditionary Group with additional outside forces to augment Andrews Airmen. AFDW conducted ceremonial, civil support operations, planning and preparation in support of Secret Service to enable a safe and secure environment for the summit.

Planning for the NSS also began in February and required continuous coordination with the Department of State, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, national and international agencies, United States Northern Command, sister services, representatives from all countries involved and AFDW assets to ensure mission execution.

"Working closely with the Andrews team in the planning and execution phases of the NSS was a distinct pleasure," said Dan Coker, Department of State logistics officer. "The planning meetings were well organized, quick paced and productive. The professionalism and interagency cooperation was as good as I've seen. Above all, the team flawlessly executed the arrival and departure support of one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in our nation's history. I'm proud to have been a part of the Andrews' operation."

"Ramping up for the NSS was no small feat," said Mr. Deric Wong, a plans, policy and doctrine analyst in AFDW's Plans and Requirements directorate. "More than 1,100 Airmen were tasked to support this operation."

"Everyone recognized the importance of this Nuclear Security Summit," said Wong. "We had been working across many agencies to ensure everything went smoothly since DHS declared the summit a National Special Security Event."

The 320th AEW led the effort to support civilian leaders. It's role: to mitigate the effects of a domestic emergency incident and support the evacuation of key leaders in the National Capital Region if requested.

"This was truly a joint effort to support the JTF-NCR commander," said Lt. Col. Waldo Moynihan, 320th AEW section commander. "For the first time ever, the 320th AEW had U.S. Navy personnel assigned to the unit. Navy forces from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., were attached to the 320th AEW as part of Task Force Incident Awareness and Assessment, one of the USNORTHCOM missions the 320th AEW executes in the NCR."

"Airmen from the Joint Personnel Recovery Center and the Air Force Northern Command, Air Operations Center at Tyndall AFB, Fla., as well as personnel from the 3rd and 5th Communications Squadrons at Tinker AFB, Okla., and Robins AFB, Ga., were also assigned to the 320th AEW to provide contingency mission support to civilian authorities," said Col. Moynihan.

Working in tandem with federal agencies, the 316th Wing, and supported by 350 personnel in the 331st AEG and 100 Aerial Port Airmen from across Air Mobility Command, took center stage with a contingent of commanders, security forces, logisticians, protocol officers, public affairs specialists, communication specialists, and service support personnel to serve as military ambassadors to assist each entourage of delegates transiting thru Andrews.

For the past week, 24-hour operations and 12-hour shifts were the norm for the 320th AEW and the AFDW Command Center, the 316th Wing Crisis Action Team and the supporting forces.

The summit concluded April 13 with the last plane departing from Andrews April 15.

With contribution by Benjamin Newell, Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs and Chelsea Gitzen, 316th WIng Public Affairs