POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- 2nd Airlift Squadron Airmen proved that being "Second to None" is more than just a motto during their recent deployment to Southwest Asia. 

During the four-month rotation, the Deuce Airmen flew 2,566 mishap-free combat sorties and transported 65,475 passengers and 2,189 tons of cargo. This equates to 1,628 busses and 249 trucks that never saw the highways of Iraq and the challenges convoys face there. 

Missions included everything from distinguished visitor transport (including two heads of state, three four-star generals, the speaker of the house, two senators and numerous ambassadors) to delivering humanitarian aid at dirt landing strips in Kenya and Ethiopia. Capt. James Bauer's crew was credited by doctors with saving a life by responding so quickly to a tasking to deliver blood essential for an emergency surgery. In addition, the 2nd AS beat the old monthly mission effectiveness record twice and set the new benchmark to 99.4 percent. 

"The Air Force's C-130s are the workhorses of this war," said Lt. Col. Lee Smith, 2nd Airlift Squadron director of operations and acting commander. "We get troops to where they need to be, and get cargo to the places it needs to go, despite the fact that our aircraft are 30 to 40 years old. We are proud of these Airmen's accomplishments during this deployment. We like that C-130s are known as the people movers, and are affectionately called the four fans of freedom. Our folks have done an awesome job, and we couldn't be prouder." 

When they weren't flying, the Airmen tackled projects to upgrade the base and leave it better than when they arrived, including tiling in the operations building, painting a dorm and building shelving units in several locations. 

The Deuce was also actively involved in the base community. Capt. Felicia Rodda was the vice president of the Company Grade Officer's Council, while Lt. Col. Howard Ward was the group advisor. Master Sgts. Scottie Turner and William Zegley were advisors to the Airman's Council. Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Poole volunteered as the base Honor Guard superintendent. 

Deuce Airmen also worked to improve themselves during the deployment. To maintain fitness, they set a goal to "run back to Pope" and logged more than 6,000 miles in three months. 

For professional development they completed 28 College Level Examination Program tests, six professional military education completions and three Community College of the Air Force degrees. 

During the four-month deployment, Deuce members received seven wing awards, five monthly safety awards and 10 operations group awards, recognizing their dedication to the mission and beyond.