War on Terrorism: MTMC officer assists Canadian redeployment.

In a far-away corner of the world, a Military Traffic Management officer found himself in the front ranks of the War on Terrorism.

Maj. Serge Pelletier served for six weeks at "an operating location in support of the U.S. Central Command execution of Operation Enduring Freedom."

In the new position, the Canadian integration officer found himself working in another key action for MTMC.

Earlier, Pelletier had served for four months in leading a team moving Canadian priority air cargoes at Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Del., to Afghanistan.

"I inherited a new team and a new mission," said Pelletier.

"Our mission was to set up a Canadian Intermediate Staging Base for the soldiers and equipment of the 3rd Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battalion Group. The unit had completed its mission and was returning home to Canada."

To reach his new assignment, Pelletier completed a 30-hour airplane flight.

At the new location, Pelletier found the tables turned. While at Dover Air Force Base, he had been responsible for critical deliveries to Canadian troops in the field.

Now, he was overseeing the reverse of the process.

The new assignment, said Pelletier, turned out to be one of the proudest missions of his military career.

"I found myself in the position of `Official Greeter,'" said Pelletier, who officially served as the Deputy Commander of the Canadian operation. "I was the fortunate one to welcome our troops."

Pelletier became more introspective.

"I was always sobered by the disposition of the troops," said Pelletier. "They were battle-weary--fatigued for having lived in dust and high heat for six consecutive months.

"I was proud to be the first to thank them."

For six consecutive days, multiple flights of U.S. Air Force C-5 aircraft brought in flights of troops and vehicles, said Pelletier.

Only one flight was delayed, because of a sandstorm in Kandahar. In all, 20 flights brought in 800 soldiers and their equipment.

After turning in their combat equipment, the Canadian soldiers were taken by bus to a gym for hot showers.

"What a difference a shower makes," said Capt. Chris Burbidge, who coordinated the Canadian operation's airport activities. "Our people looked human again. Rested. Ready for the next flight."

There was no pause in the operation, said Pelletier.

"About half the soldiers were lucky enough to spend the night," said Pelletier.

"The other half were treated to a barbecue. Then they were returned to the air terminal for a flight aboard a Canadian-chartered Boeing-747 aircraft for a trip to Guam and a debriefing period."

Following a few days in Guam, the soldiers were aboard another aircraft--this time, headed home to Canada.

The redeployment was assisted by the 730 Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, a Reserve unit from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., said Lt. Col. Denis Boivin, Commander, of the Canadian staging operation.

"The transition of the Canadian soldiers was a great success," said Boivin.

"We were successful because of the hard work of our folks and that of the Americans and other people supporting us."

After the soldiers departed for Guam, the mission's emphasis shifted to moving their equipment, Bowin said. Equipment must be inventoried, cleaned and repaired.

"Once this has been accomplished, the equipment will be stuffed into containers, and the vehicles will be prepared for shipment by sea," said Burbidge.

American service members were impressed with the mission.

"It was a great pleasure to work with the Canadians on this mission," said Lt. Col. Sandra Yope, a Reservist with the air mobility squadron.

Her colleague, Lt. Col. Jeff Leknes, agreed.

"It was an eye-opener," said Leknes, "the Canadians really know their stuff when it comes to deploying ... they're real pros!"

And Pelletier?

The veteran MTMC operations officer is getting ready for a new adventure.

Now home in Maryland, he is transitioning his life in order to be ready for his next posting--with the plans and operations staff of MTMC's 598th Transportation Group, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.