• The Airmen also took this opportunity to offer some on-the-job training highlighting heavy equipment operations and safety to their Host Nation neighbors. • After crossing more than 9,000 miles on the return trip home, offloading the precious cargo presented a challenge to both teams. • Getting the job completed in the safest and most efficient manner possible was paramount for both crews.
Photos
The 380th ELRS members assisted their host nation counterparts in unloading their F-16 Desert Falcon equipment used during their first deployment mission to Red Flag. This is the first time for the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Air Terminal Operation Center to assist and train the host nation in training heavy equipment offloading. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
Senior Airman Adrian Gonzales, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, guides the forklift towards host nation cargo that arrived March 10, 2011, in Southwest Asia. This is the first time in the Air Terminal Operations Center's history where Airmen and the host nation worked side by side assisting in heavy equipment offloading mission operations. Airman Gonzales is deployed from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
Senior Airman Adrian Gonzales, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, unchains some cargo equipment that flew in from the latest Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB, Nev., March 10, 2011, in Southwest Asia. The 380th ELRS members assisted their host nation counterparts in unloading their F-16 Desert Falcon equipment used during their first deployment mission to Red Flag. This is the first time for the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Air Terminal Operation Center to assist and train the host nation in training heavy equipment offloading. Airman Gonzales is deployed from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
Master Sgt. Brian O'Daniel, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, insures the forklift prongs are in place before giving the signal to remove cargo from the pallet March 10, 2011, in Southwest Asia. This is the first time in the Air Terminal Operations Center's history where Airmen and the host nation worked side by side assisting in heavy equipment offloading mission operations. Sergeant O'Daniel is deployed from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
Senior Airman Adrian Gonzales guides forklift driver, Staff Sgt. Jeffery Bouton, both from the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, as he removes cargo from its pallet March 10, 2011, in Southwest Asia. This is the first time in the Air Terminal Operations Center's history where Airmen and the host nation worked side by side assisting in mission operations. Airman Gonzales is deployed from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md., and Airman Bouton is deployed from the 436th APS, Dover AFB, Del. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
Staff Sgt Jeffrey Bouton, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, operates the forklift, removing heavy cargo from the 60k Tunner Loader March 10, 2011, in Southwest Asia. This is the first time in the Air Terminal Operations Center's history where Airmen and the host nation worked side by side assisting in offloading mission operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
The 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron members assisted their host nation counterparts in unloading their F-16 Desert Falcon equipment used during their first deployment mission to Red Flag. This is the first time for the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Air Terminal Operation Center to assist and train the host nation in training heavy equipment offloading. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
Master Sgt. William Vereen, Host Nation Embassy permanent party, guides the forklift to set cargo down on host nation tow trucks March 10, 2011, in Southwest Asia. The 380th ELRS members assisted their host nation counterparts in unloading their F-16 Desert Falcon equipment used during their first deployment mission to Red Flag. This is the first time for the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Air Terminal Operation Center to assist and train the host nation in training heavy equipment offloading. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
Senior Airman Adrian Gonzales, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, unhooks equipment before signaling the forklift driver to unload it from the 60k Tunner Loader March 10, 2011, in Southwest Asia. The 380th ELRS members assisted their host nation counterparts for the first time in the Air Terminal Operation Center's history with unloading F-16 Desert Falcon equipment used during this year's Red Flag. Airman Gonzales is deployed from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
Master Sgt. Brian O'Daniel (front), 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Senior Airman Adrian Gonzales, 380th ELRS, help guide the forklift under the cargo equipment March 10, 2011, in Southwest Asia. The Airmen used this opportunity to assist in training the host nation with loading and unloading equipment using heavy machinery. Sergeant O'Daniel and Airman Gonzales are deployed from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron, Andrews AFB, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)
by Master Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia
380th Air Expeditionary Wing
4/5/2011 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The joint efforts of the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and their Host Nation F-16 maintenance squadron strengthened a working partnership as Airmen provided offloading support to the Host Nation participants returning from Red Flag with 50,000 short tons of F-16 Desert Falcon equipment. Both nations joined together using U.S. military heavy equipment assets to offload cargo, which filled both a contracted 747 and an Air Force C-17 from nose to tail. The Airmen also took this opportunity to offer some on-the-job training highlighting heavy equipment operations and safety to their Host Nation neighbors.
Master Sgt. Brian O'Daniel, 380th ELRS superintendent, said building relations is paramount to this partnership. "The more the region changes, the more you need a partner here. Being able to collaborate with the Host Nation and with other regions in the area - it benefits everybody. Helping our Host Nation download their equipment with our ELRS team providing technical assistance helps build partnerships and relations; that's something we need."
After crossing more than 9,000 miles on the return trip home, offloading the precious cargo presented a challenge to both teams.
"Our [Air Force aerial porters] were ready and willing to support the Host Nation during their cargo download with our 60k loader and 10k forklift and to show them how we use our equipment," said Sergeant O'Daniel.
This joint effort was essential because [the host nation's crew] only possessed a small 25k loader, as opposed to the 380th ELRS 60k loader necessary for this type of heavy lifting. Sergeant O'Daniel also mentioned that any opportunity to educate the Host Nation on the 380th ELRS heavy loading equipment was worth the time and effort.
"We were able to show them how it works, how it handles and hopefully they'll get some valuable training out of it as well."
This unique opportunity was a first for many who worked the offload mission, even Senior Airman Cory Wallace, the 380th ELRS 60k ton operator. "This is my first time working with the host country nationals, so I'm kind of excited to see how things go. It gives me a chance to see some of their techniques. It's something new, something different."
Getting the job completed in the safest and most efficient manner possible was paramount for both crews. However, some training was necessary to make this a successful mission. Reviewing the steps in the Air Force safety program Operational Risk Management, or ORM, was a must. Sergeant O'Daniel clarified the importance safety has when working on such a project.
"Our [Aerial Port] guys practice ORM day in and day out; thinking ahead to what could happen and making a conscious decision to work safe and work smart," said the master sergeant.
After hours of coordination and ORM training between the two teams, their mission was safely and effectively accomplished. The 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron used their skills and knowledge to foster the kind of partnership necessary to get the job done.
