Southwest Asia -- Mailing a package can be somewhat of a headache. You have to know if you want to send it priority, space available or express, along with making sure you fill out the appropriate forms. Now imagine performing these tasks for all official mail and shipments coming and going onto the installation.
Fortunately, Airmen in the Traffic Management Office inbound and outbound cargo sections take away this headache for military units.
“We are the focal point for all of the cargo that goes to the different units and shops on base,” said Tech. Sgt. Akilah, NCO in-charge of inbound cargo. “We are a one-stop shop for logistics solutions, so all you have to do is come to us with your cargo needs and we’ll make sure you are good to go.”
“We accept all the official cargo so units don’t have to figure out how to do it themselves,” said Akilah, currently deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. “We provide customer service, tracking for your shipment as well as packing and unpacking. We know how to ship your cargo properly so that there is a greatly reduced chance of it being lost or damaged.”
Over the past three months, Airmen assigned to the inbound and outbound cargo section have processed and moved more than 103K shipments and 935 tons of cargo.
“Depending on what type of asset is provided to us, we pack it, shrink wrap it if needed, put it in a box, weigh it, get the dimensions and put a label on it,” said Akilah. “Where the asset is going in the world will determine which carrier we use. It could go on an Air Mobility Command flight or on one of our small package carriers.”
Akilah, a native of Washington D.C., said they not only deal with general cargo, but also cargo that requires special handling.
“We also deal with aircraft parts, systems, and all types of hazardous and sensitive materials. You name it, we handle it,” said Akilah.
Supporting both Operation Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support, the team works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, moving cargo and passengers anywhere, anytime.
“Our primary responsibility is to help keep the planes in the air, so aircraft parts are going to be our main focus,” said Akilah. “We want to keep all of our planes mission capable.”
Airman 1st Class Kevin, Traffic Management journeyman, currently deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and a native of Trinidad and Tobago but calls Brooklyn, N.Y. home, said he definitely gets a sense of accomplishment from doing his job.
“It feels good to know that I shipped out a part that needed to go out right away due to an emergency,” he said. “I get a sense of feeling that I did my part. I shipped it out, made sure everything matched and shipped it the most efficient way possible to save the Air Force time and money.”
TMO here is more than just an Air Force asset.
“We assist the entire base,” said Akilah. “This includes all services and coalition partners. Logistics touches everybody on the base one way or another.”
Their far-reaching mission impact is not the only part of what makes the inbound and outbound cargo teams special.
“I get to see parts I would never get to see if I were doing another job,” said Kevin. “I also get to see places I never knew existed. But the best part of all is the camaraderie. We all kind of look out for each other.”
“We have an awesome team here at inbound and outbound cargo,” said Akilah. “The team we have here is making it happen day in and day out.”
(Editor’s note: Due to safety and security reasons, last names and unit designators were removed.)