41st AS moves to 'THE ROCK' Published Feb. 26, 2007 By Nicole Campbell Staff Writer POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- For 36 years, the 41st Airlift Squadron "Blackcats" have called Pope home, but Friday's realignment ceremony marked a new beginning as the unit heads to Little Rock AFB, Ark. The 41st AS will stand up in Little Rock April 5, under the command of Lt. Col. Dan Tulley. Lt. Col. Thomas Crimmins, current 41st AS commander, noted that the realignment is the first tangible BRAC move for the 43rd Airlift Wing. "This is just the first of many, and it should hit home that the moves are happening now," he said. He added that this realignment was originally scheduled to take place at a later date, but he received the call in August from Air Mobility Command, and the timeline was shortened. Although the guidon transfer from Pope to Little Rock AFB will not signal an immediate mass exodus of personnel, about 90 of the current 41st AS personnel deployed for a scheduled rotation earlier this week as new members of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. The remainder have been transferred to the 2nd Airlift Squadron here, awaiting their next assignment. Colonel Crimmins said that when the time comes, most will probably receive orders to go somewhere other than Little Rock AFB. He is among those deploying and said when his deployment ends, he will return to Pope and await Air Force instructions. He took command less than a year ago with the assumption he would be in command for two years. "This is bittersweet. The time has been too short, but I understand the need of the Air Force to move [the squadron] to Little Rock to pick up a new mission and new airplane," said Colonel Crimmins. He said that although his command has been brief, he is happy he will get to stay with his troops and command for another 120 days during the deployment. Before the realignment ceremony began, Master Sgt. Kevin Saquilan, a loadmaster with 41st AS, his wife and youngest daughter, braved the chilling winds to get a look at three aircraft on display near the flightline. The family has only been with 41st AS since November when they transferred from Japan. Sergeant Saquilan's wife, Nancy, said they chose the Pope assignment after their overseas tour, and their future here is indefinite. During the ceremony, Col. Daryl Blan, 43rd Operations Group acting commander, briefly relayed some of the unit's accomplishments. He said the 41st AS has a proud history as the third oldest Air Force squadron, having been involved in every major campaign since its inception Feb. 18, 1942, and as one of the most highly decorated airlift squadrons in U.S. military history. The unit began as a transport squadron, but soon became a troop carrier squadron, flying the C-47. The squadron later flew the C-119 Boxcar, and made the transition to the C-130 Hercules in 1957. Col. Timothy Zadalis, 43rd Airlift Wing Commander, also addressed the crowd of about 200 veterans, family members, distinguished guests and the 41st navigators, pilots, load masters and flight engineers, during the ceremony. Colonel Zadalis commented on the contributions of the past 41st AS commanders in attendance. "The previous commanders have built a legacy for the 41st...and their spirit lives on with the Blackcats," he said during his speech. That "spirit" will also physically live on, as each 41st AS commander's name was painted on a Pope C-130E that will soon be retired to the boneyard in Ariz. Colonel Blan said the 41st will add another chapter to its history by being the first Air Mobility Command active duty C-130J squadron. The C-130J was added to the inventory in 1999, and is noticeably different than its precursors. "There is fundamentally something wrong with six blades on a prop," joked Colonel Blan. Colonel Zadalis insisted, "It's not the aircraft that's the future, it's the people. They will turn [the C-130J] into another air mobility legend." The climax of the ceremony was when 41st AS personnel in formation were told to remove their Blackcat patches and replace them with their gaining unit patch. The BRAC-mandated move will touch more than the troops and their families. Ray Yamrus, a retired Army first sergeant, said he was enlightened during his four-year stint as honorary squadron commander for the 41st AS. He said he liked being involved with the unit and the troops. He and his wife were able to attend all functions held by the squadron. Mr. Yamrus acted as a mentor, introducing the "civilian side" to each of the three commanders he worked with, and providing support whenever needed. "I enjoyed everything and met some fantastic people. Our hearts are with the Blackcats," Mr. Yamrus said.