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Staff Sgt. Jose Ruiz, 433rd Airlift Control Flight, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, with some of the equipment the ALCF uses in their mission.

433rd Airlift Control Flight can be compared to the multi-tool in your pocket, it's small but has many different functions and is a life saver in a jam.

"When there is an airfield that doesn't have any command post or any control on the field -- bare base -- we can go out there," Sergeant Ruiz said.

He said the 433rd ALCF can be self-sufficient for 30 days while being able to provide relief or emergency aid to an area. In addition they can start and build a base where there was nothing before.

The 433rd ALCF is made up of Air Reserve Technicians and traditional Reservists. A small unit of fewer than 20 members, it has about eight different Air Force Specialty Codes, including pilots, a loadmaster, a network communications specialist and a navigator.

"We do multiple exercises throughout the year for different contingencies or even just local exercises," Sergeant Ruiz said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian McGloin)