911th Airlift Wing Takes on New Global Mission - By Natalie Fiorilli

 For Pittsburgh’s Air Force Reserve Station, the C-17 is much more than just a new aircraft.

“It keeps the base open,” said Bryan Branby, Program Integration Office Chief for the 911thAirlift Wing. “It’s a mission that will go into the next 20 to 30 years, and it’s an investment in the infrastructure on base – so that alone is a boost.”

Shortly after Pittsburgh International Airport lost its hub status, its military neighbor across the airfield was looking at a similar fate. In 2005, the reserve station found itself on a list of Air Force bases threatened for closure in a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) report.

The report said the 911th, which at the time hosted eight C-130 Hercules aircraft, lacked room for growth to accommodate additional aircraft. And while ultimately the BRAC Commission decided to keep the base open, the future of the airlift wing was not guaranteed.

Following several years of uncertainty for the 911th, Congress awarded funding to upgrade the base in 2016 to handle C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. A more modern and multifunctional aircraft in comparison to the C-130, the C-17 can fly greater distances and handle payloads as large as 85 tons.

Also, the Globemaster can land on short and narrow runways, making it an ideal aircraft for a variety of missions ranging from airlifts to hauling large equipment and supplies, and even transporting ambulatory patients.

In 2018, the airlift wing relocated its C-130 fleet in preparation for the arrival of the newer, larger aircraft. And this month, the 911th welcomed the first three of eight C-17 aircraft to be positioned on base, securing the airlift’s future for years to come.

The transition from C-130 to C-17 aircraft will change the 911th’s function. Crews will be deployed more frequently due to the aircraft’s versatility and ability to fly on long-haul missions, according to Branby, who is leading the conversion program.

“Pittsburgh now has a higher profile in the Air Force,” said Branby. “Our airplanes are flying in the system every single day. Before, the majority of the time our planes were here, but now they will be flying all over the world – in Europe, Africa, South America – in constant rotation.”

Col. Greg Buchanan, 911th Operations Group Commander, noted that the C-17’s ability to be modified for different needs makes it the “backbone” of air mobility.

“It’s truly a transcontinental aircraft,” said Buchanan. “We have crews all over the world right now and I think everyone here is excited that we are operating a real-world, global mission directly from Pittsburgh.”

According to a 2018 economic impact study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh, the C-17 conversion is an approximately $110 million project that will add 192 permanent military and civilian jobs to the base.

Along with infrastructure upgrades that include construction of a larger hangar and pavement work, the process involves training for pilots, mechanics and other crews at the 911th. The transition has been an exciting challenge for the base, said Col. Cliff Waller, 911th Maintenance Group Commander.

“This is huge for us,” he added. “It’s totally different from what we had before, so the learning curve basically meant that we had to learn our trades all over again.”

The hangar is expected to be complete this October, as the remaining C-17s will arrive on base over the next few months. And while the conversion marks the end of an era, crews at the 911th are looking forward to their new mission.

“They are seeing new things, new places, and have the chance to do new missions,” said Branby. “It’s a different world and a different type of flying now. It’s bittersweet, but at the same time, it’s exciting and new.”

FW: Thanks for 29 great years!

From: BRANBY, BRYAN M GS-12 USAF AFRC 911 AW/PIO

Sent: Friday, March 29, 2019 4:27 PM
Subject: Thanks for 29 great years!

As the book has closes on my 36+ year Air Force career, I wanted to thank each and every member of the 911^th Airlift Wing, past and present, for a great 29 years here at Pittsburgh.

I arrived on station 2 May, 1990, fresh off Active Duty, with no idea what the Air Force Reserves were all about, but eager to learn. Over the past three decades we have accomplished a many great things: delivered relief supplies to hurricane ravaged parts of our nation and the war-torn countries of Bosnia and Kosovo. We sat alert for Nobel Eagle immediately after 9/11 and then sent an untold number of crews, medical personnel, planes and personnel to every part of Southwest Asia supporting 18 years of the Global War on Terror. We supported operations in Central and South America as part of Coronet Oak out of Panama and Puerto Rico. We put on Airshows, static displays, and flew thousands of local training sorties throughout Western PA and Eastern OH, spreading the amazing sounds of the four fans of freedom.

I personally have flown over 7,200 hours on Pittsburgh aircraft, in every weather condition possible, either by intent or mistake, and always come home safely. There is no one I trust more than the amazing maintenance team here at the 911^th MXG to give me an airplane that gets the mission done. I know they will do the same with the C-17.

The support functions on this installation are second to none. You have made serving both full- and part-time easy and rewarding.

It’s been an amazing experience, and I can’t imagine doing it anywhere but here in Pittsburgh. No one does it better. Thanks for all your professionalism and support over the past three decades. This Wing continues to be the class of Air Force Reserve Command, and everyone should be proud of their part in making the 911^th AW the Best of the Best.

On a personal level, we are the sum of the people we meet, greet, and love along the way. By that measure I have been able to work with a truly amazing group of citizen patriots. Thank you for your help and support over the years, and I look forward to working with you in the future as a civilian to push the C-17 mission into full-blown reality.

I wish you all the best, and if there is anything I can do for you, please give me a call.

Bryan

36 Years of Service, Lifetime of Memories

By Senior Airman Grace Thomson, 911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published March 28, 2019

PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION -- 

– After 36 years of service, the Air Force bid farewell to Lt. Col. Bryan Branby on March 22, 2019.

Branby had always wanted to join the Air Force. His father was a pilot for the F-100 Super Sabre and this was all Branby wanted to do as a career.

“To me that’s like going into the family business,” Branby said.

So much so that, when he was a freshman in high school, he applied to the U.S. Air Force Academy long before he would even be considered.

He applied again his senior year of high school but had a backup plan to attend Northern Arizona State University to major in journalism and possibly participate in U.S. Air Force ROTC.

However, two weeks after his high school graduation Branby got the call that would make his dreams a reality; he was going to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

He graduated in 1982 and went on his way to navigator school at Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento, California. 

Branby desperately wanted to be on a fighter jet, if not that then he wanted to get on any plane that would let him travel the world, he said. Instead he was selected for B-52s.

His first assignment was to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, whose nuclear mission was mostly within the continental United States.

“My first flight was very overwhelming just because you feel so important,” Branby said. “Our job was nuclear deterrence so we trained and sat alert. It was very regimented.”

Though it was not what he wanted initially, it was at Ellsworth AFB that he met his wife, Laura Branby who was stationed there as one of the base weather officers, and his career began to take shape.

After Ellsworth AFB, Branby went to Griffiss AFB, New York where he was promoted to instructor and Flight Examiner.

After Griffiss AFB, the time came to decide if he and his wife would stay in with their growing family as it looked as if they would be separated for their next duty stations.

Fate took over, as Branby said, when he received a letter from a former coworker at Ellsworth AFB and Griffiss AFB telling him about an opening at 911th Airlift Wing; they needed C-130 Hercules navigators.

There were two major reasons to move to Pittsburgh: it had an Air Force Reserve base with a flying mission, and Branby’s wife had family there. The decision was an easy one for the family as they moved with two children in tow. Later, in 1993, a third would complete their family.

He had contacted Lt. Col. Lowery Bailey, 911th Operations Group chief navigator at the time and was a 911th AW Navigator in no time at all, with a civilian job as a quality engineer for an electric transformer manufacturing plant in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

Branby was officially with the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station as of May 1990 and stayed until his 2019 retirement.

In his career he has gone to Iceland, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Djibouti, and Qatar among many other places.

“It’s just been a really great experience being here at the 911th AW,” Branby said. “I did just about everything I ever wanted to.”

Branby worked hard to make his time at the 911th AW the best it can be.

“Bryan does the right thing when it is convenient not to” said Senior Master Sgt. Marshall Martindale, stand evaluation superintendent at the 911th OG.

An example that stood out to Martindale was when there were two navigators that did not have current officer performance reports done. They did not think it was necessary to do them because they were leaving the U.S. Air Force. Branby disagreed and worked for two days to get it done. He wanted to make sure that, should they want to, these officers could come back.

Not only did Branby go above and beyond for his people, he also made sure they were taken care of during day-to-day operations, especially with the bases recent conversion to the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

“Bryan was the rock during this whole conversion,” said Martindale. “At any one time he was either the squadron commander, the operations group commander, the wing commander, etc. There were just so many people relying on him and he was the one person that was the glue of the squadron.”

Now, Branby is the chief for the 911th AW C-17 Program Integration Office, and this is what he will retire as; though he still thinks about his navigator roots.

He has flown on many missions with the 911th AW in the C-130 Hercules and he said his last flight was a bittersweet experience.

“There was a time in there where I just thought ‘Yeah I’m going to miss being in this seat and seeing these views, the sounds, the smells,’” said Branby.

Since the 911th no longer has C-130s, it was only due to the generosity of Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, that he got to go back up in one for a final farewell.

He also had a final flight in a C-17 but he said the experience was more of a passenger rather than a part of the crew.

“It was good to see these guys flying a new airplane but it wasn’t my airplane,” he said.

Though his time in the Air Force has come to an end he will still be connected to the 911th for some time to come. Branby will continue his in position with the C-17 PIO Office until flight simulators come in for the C-17s.

“It’s been fun and an honor to work with him and beside him,” said Martindale, “I’m a better person for knowing him.”

Branby also had some parting words for his Airmen as well.

“Throughout it all I’ve had great mentors, a variety of leaders, and tremendous crews and steadfast friends” Branby said. “My lessons in life are few; take care of your family and people, say yes as much as possible, do it all then ask for more, and write your own performance reports - no one cares about your career as much as you do.”

Lt. Col. Bryan Branby, chief of the 911th Airlift Wing Program Integration Office, Laura Branby, his wife, Kara Branby, Jill Branby, and Kurt Branby, his children, pose for a family photo at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, March 22, 2019. Branby’s family joined him for his retirement ceremony to celebrate the long career he has had in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

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Lt. Col. Bryan Branby, chief of the 911th Airlift Wing Program Integration Office, receives his retirement certificate from Col. Jay D. Miller, vice commander of the 911th AW, at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, March 22, 2019. Branby’s family and friends joined him at his retirement ceremony to celebrate the long career he has had and support him on his next adventure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

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Lt. Col. Bryan Branby, chief of the 911th Airlift Wing Program Integration Office, receives his retirement pin from Laura Branby, his wife, at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, March 22, 2019. Branby said his family have been there to support him throughout his career and he is glad there could be there to support him in his retirement as well. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

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Lt. Col. Bryan Branby, chief of the 911th Airlift Wing Program Integration Office, gets sprayed champagne and water by family and friends after his last flight at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, March 22, 2019. This is a tradition when an aircrew member walks off the aircraft after the final flight of their military career to celebrate their years of flying with the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Grace Thomson)

“Warlord, Out!”

 March 22, 2019

Well, here we are. I can’t believe that almost 37 years went by this fast! 40, if you count getting put on a plane to Colorado and waking up the next morning with no hair and smartly dressed people yelling at you.

I have to thank the people who got me here. That includes just about everybody. In no way, shape or form could I have reached this day without the help of pretty much everyone I’ve ever met. You realize late in life that you have been influenced in some way by everyone you meet, for good or bad. In my case, I have been truly blessed.

        For today’s event I’d like to thank Col Miller, Chaplain Johnson, Col Frankenbery for that moving rendition of our National Anthem, SMSgt Schatzman, SMSgt Martindale, Maj Sullivan, and my daughter Kara for setting this all up. Lt Col Clark and the crew of PITT 01… what a way to end it! Thank you so much.

My parents, and brother and sisters. You are who you are raised with, and each had a huge impact on the guy who walked onto a plane in 1978 and went off to college. They had high expectations of me, and I was just foolish enough to try to live up to them. My Dad was an F-4 pilot, and if you’ve ever read the book, “the Great Santini,” you have some sense of what I grew up with. I think I did OK.

By far the most important person in my life is my wife, Laura. There are not enough words. As you heard, we met on Active Duty in South Dakota, and for some reason she said “yes” to the skinny kid from California.  She followed me to Griffiss AFB in NY, and then I followed her to Pittsburgh. Best decision ever! We’ve been married almost 33 years and She has said “OK” more than anyone, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

My terrific kids. You changed our lives in incredible ways and we are both so proud of who you are and what your lives will bring.

My incredible parents-in-law: Pat and Stewart Griest. They took me into their lives and helped raise my kids every single day I was gone TDY or deployed, which when you total it up, is pretty significant. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Leadership is a funny thing. Keep track of the good and the bad. I’ve seen my share of both. I owe a lot to a Capt Mark E. S. Mayhew. He was my Air Officer Commanding my senior year at the Academy, and threw down the gauntlet.

How do you like me now?

I’ve had awesome mentors and friends through the years. Somehow I lucked out being in the best Squadrons and getting on the best crews with all the best people. In B-52s it was Chris Moore, Jim Veazey, Larry Saunders, Dave Re, Dave Shunk, Ralph Davino, Steve Thomas, Tim Vinoski, and smokin’ Joe Bowden. In the Herk, Lowery Baily hired me, probably against his better judgement, and I got to fly and work with the likes of Joe Poznik; Aldo Filoni; Bob Jacobs; Bill Estright; Bill Gutermuth;  Diane Patton; Bo Bear; Ray Toy; Bobby D’Amico; Tom Huzzard; Dan Ruedisueli; Jaime Carter; Tracey McArdle; Janet Johnson; Darius Pirzadeh; Foge; Eddy T; Meat; JB; DO Extraordiaires Bill Fedorka and Chinky Kochansky; and of course my Brothers-in-Deportation, Lance Hupp, Brad Ayer, Bob Mathe, Dave Robbins, and John Cellurale. Long Live the Qatari SIX!!!

I have had some awesome experiences. It starts off with great crews and Aircraft Commanders who will lean as far forward as I do; SAC Bomb Comp, 8th Air Force Blue Ribbon Crew, Duel in The Sun, 15th Air Force Shootout, topless beaches in Spain. Coronet Oak: alleged karyoke in Puerto Rico, climbing a volcano in Iceland then soaking in a geothermal hot spring at 2 am, landing on a dirt strip in the Amazon and watching a bunch of bearded dudes walk off into the jungle. Bosnia relief missions, flying supplies in for Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina Relief, Southern Watch to Saudi Arabia in 1993,  being on the 1994 Airlift Rodeo team in my backyard at McChord AFB where my Dad got to watch me shack a Heavy Equipment drop.

Being on the radio as the Oak Mission Commander when one of my crews successfully crash lands an airplane at Roosevelt Roads. Picking up the phone in the desert as the Squadron Commander, and having an irate tower guy tell me one of my crews called him a Jag-off after landing on a blacked-out closed runway. Two years of activation, shooting flares off all over the desert during deployment after deployment to Salem and Al Udeid for Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve and Freedoms Sentinel, including getting deported, an epic bus ride through Seville, and an even more epic plane ride home on a Rotator as the Troop Commander.

On the IGI team, I got the chance to do big mission exercises: Bold Effort (8 ship); Steel Challenges (6-ships); and Lycoming Reach, where we ran 840 people, 4 planes  and 125 patients across three states in a single day. Being a DO; and now finally part of C-17 Transition team where we are setting the ground for the next 25 years of operations here at Pittsburgh. Trust me, you can’t script this life out.

So what have I learned from all of this?

Life moves fast. Blink and the first 10 years are done. 30 happen before you realize it.

My advice to you as a crusty old has-been is pretty simplistic:

1.  Take care of your family. They will be around long after we’re forgotten here.

2.  Take care of your people. They will make you better every time.

3.  Mistakes and failures are what happens on the way to success.

4.  Say “Yes” as often as possible. You won’t be sorry.

5.  Write your own Performance reports. No one cares about your career as much as you do.

6.  Do it all. Ask for more. See Item 4.

7.  Go ahead and check the boxes, never pass up a back-up plan.

8.  Read. A lot.

9.  Don’t be a Jerk. Nobody does this alone.

Bill Estright had it right: Any mission worth doing is worth overdoing; moderation is for quitters.

I am proud to have been part of these mighty mighty airlifters - men and women who literally live at the tip of the spear… Fighters… eh: they zoom around the skies at 30,000 shooting at shadows on a radar scoop. Tac airlifters swoop down out of the night into the most austere landing zones in the world, often under fire; they execute with brashness and daring bravado to deliver critical men and material to all aspects of the fight. You rock!

Good luck to all of you in the days and years ahead.

Thank you all for the great ride. You’ve made this the greatest experience anyone could want or have. I salute you!

Warlord, Out.