424th ABS celebrates 10 years

Family members from the 424th Air Base Squadron play foosball at a family barbecue hosted at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Airfield-Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Oct. 13, 2022. The 424th ABS hosted a 10-year anniversary barbecue for Airmen and their family members to come together to appreciate everyone's commitment to the unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordan Lazaro)

424th ABS celebrates 10 years

Story by Airman 1st Class Jordan Lazaro, 86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs

SHAPE AIRFIELD-CHIЀVRES AIR BASE, Belgium – “Ten years is a short existence as a squadron, but we are in a unique position to build a legacy,” explained U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kevin D. Coughlin, 424th Air Base Squadron commander. “Our attitude, our culture and our drive will influence our squadron’s culture for years to come.”

Airmen from the 424th ABS, also known as the ‘Red Devils,’ hosted a three-day event Oct. 11-13, 2022, to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the squadron.

Members from the 424th Air Base Squadron sit together to eat a meal as part of the 10-year anniversary celebration of the squadron at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Airfield-Chievres Air Base, Belgium, Oct.13, 2022. The 10-year anniversary celebration lasted three days and included a local farmers breakfast, Survive, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training, spouses day and family barbecue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordan Lazaro)

“We are a small and diverse squadron with a unique opportunity to work and learn from our joint and NATO partners,” said Coughlin. “Every ABS has their own unique construct, but what makes us different is having 17 Air Force Specialty Careers that make up our squadron that would traditionally fall into various groups throughout a wing.”

The 424th ABS is a geographically separated unit of the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and it is located at U.S. Army Garrison-Benelux, Belgium. Their primary mission is to operate a NATO airfield in support of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and other distinguished visitors from any of the 30 NATO nations.

Spouses from the 424th Air Base Squadron visit the air traffic control tower at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Airfield-Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Oct. 13, 2022. This tour was part of a three-day celebration honoring the 10-year anniversary of the 424th ABS. Additionally, the spouses toured the flight line, fire station and viewed a demonstration by 424th ABS security forces personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordan Lazaro)

“While they deal with a steep learning curve, the Airmen of the 424th ABS truly embody the Air Force Core Values of ‘service before self’ and ‘excellence in all we do,’ taking ownership and responsibility of the different programs and proving the best service and products as possible,” expressed Master Sgt. Stephen Spader, 424th ABS senior enlisted leader and Security Forces section chief.

In celebration of 10 years of hard work after being reactivated in 2012 to Chièvres, the 424th ABS hosted a farmer’s breakfast with a static display of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and squadron overview, an in-person survival evasion resistance and escape training with Airmen from the 86th Operations Support Squadron from Ramstein Air Base. Ending with a day full of events, including a spouse's day and an anniversary barbecue with family members and closing remarks from commander Coughlin.

Spouses of 424th Air Base Squadron personnel participate in a fire obstacle at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Airfield-Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, Oct. 13, 2022. The obstacle was part of a spouses day held by the 424th ABS in celebration of their 10-year anniversary. The obstacle consisted of a chainsaw lift, tire hammering, fire hose carry, toss and roll in fire protective gear. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jordan Lazaro)

“The Red Devils are a team of humble professionals that are experts at their job,” Coughlin said. “As their commander, I never worry about their ability to safely and effectively accomplish the mission.”

As well as supporting DV airlift, Airmen from the 424th ABS operate a tactical landing zone and three drop zones in support of tactical flying training for both USAFE-AFAFRICA and NATO.

“Bottom line, I’m proud of all the work the squadron has done to build relationships to strengthen joint, host nation, and NATO partnerships that improve our overall interoperability,” Coughlin expressed. “Building meaningful relationships takes professionalism and humility.”