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Show Aerial porters flying makes big difference HILL AFB - It's no secret that aerial port squadrons are a "flying group of people." A look at the recent fly-a-way to McChord AFB, Wash., by the 68th Aerial Port Squadron invites a bet-ter bet-ter understanding of the aerial port mission. The 446th Military Airlift Wing at McChord AFB is the squadron's active duty advisory wing. If mobilized, the squadron would be gained by MAC so the 446th assists in maintaining the 68th's proficiency with the parent command's airlift system. "It gives our people an opportunity oppor-tunity to work in a MAC versus an Air Force Logistics Command environment," en-vironment," said TSgt. James Bowman, air freight specialist and mobilization NCOIC for the 68th. "At McChord we got to load lots of C-141s." That's why the fly-a-ways make a difference. Sergeant Bowman further pointed out that he would like to see "no-notice" mobilizations implemented im-plemented to help aerial porters prepare themselves psychologically psychological-ly for their wartime mission. During quarterly fly-a-ways, aerial ae-rial porters learn how to compute load restraints, which is crucial information in-formation to the loadmaster of the aircraft who calculates the height, weight and measurement of each pallet so the aircraft does not become be-come overloaded and affect a safe take-off. Also refreshened is the handling of locks, struts, chains and MB-1 and MB-2 devices. "The MB-1 is used with a 10,000 . pound chain," said SrA. John M. Simpson, 7th Military Airlift Squadron loadmaster at McChord AFB. "While an MB-2 device is used wiiii 25,000 pound chains, they're basically the same." Airman Simpson continued to explain that only AID-7000 floor devices are to be used with the MB-1 MB-1 . Together, these devices could tie down a vehicle or oversized cargo on pallets. He also points out the 27 floor lock positions on each side of the aircraft in addition to the two on each side of the ramp. Porters also learn that the fl-v fittings on the outside of the cargo rails are for use with the MB-2. To witness the mixture of classroom clas-sroom instruction and actual ; "hands-on" training is perhaps the ionly way one can fully appreciate 'the aerial porter's challenges. -: "We fit right in with the 466th," : said MSgt. George W. Park, 68th ! A-shift. "This fly-a-way was a suc-i suc-i cessful training effort." |
