SOUTHWEST ASIA -- 380th Air Terminal Operations Center, or dually nick named Port Dawgs, convoyed sixteen large pieces of equipment to a C-5 Galaxy in the late afternoon to begin a process that would take them late into the evening.
“Our mission is to move cargo and move passengers to make sure the mission gets done here,” said Staff Sgt. Zach, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation craftsman. “We move critical aircraft parts to keep them flying, we move their bombs, we make sure they have munitions to drop on target, and we move all the [passengers], from all the maintainers to everyone else coming through us. We are basically the main supply line to the base.”
Other port dawg daily tasks consist of preparing cargo to be loaded, loading airplanes, unloading passengers, then completing fleet services on the KC-10 Extender and E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system.
“Fleet service consists of removing trash and ensuring laboratories are good to go,” said Zach. “We also do joint inspections for aircraft going out and we make sure the cargo is actually air worthy and certified to go on an aircraft by doing load plans.”
Load plans consist of checking the center of balance on the aircraft to make sure it’s within an acceptable range for takeoff.
It is extremely important to plan for the cargo on the aircraft, ensuring it will fit based off of its weight and dimensions for a safe flight.
The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing ATOC accomplishes the full spectrum of their career field’s mission here, whereas back at home stations individuals are assigned into specialized sections.
“At my home base I only do special handling, which is your HAZMAT [hazardous materials], large amounts of money, and registered mail,” said Zach. “Here we have to have a broad knowledge of all aspects of our career field to make it happen... The thing I like most about my job is the special missions with cargo I’ve never seen before, like Patriot missile launchers, helicopters and dealing with cool stuff.”
“I mainly focus on ramp side and the cargo,” said Senior Airman Bradley, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron air transportation journeyman. “So when there is an aircraft [arrival], I am normally Team chief and head out to the aircraft with my team and set up the plan on how we will download it or upload it as fast as possible.”
Team chiefs are responsible for the safety of the ATOC Airmen. When it comes to unloading complex machinery, Team chiefs ensure there is a plan in place and that it is followed.
“We play an integral part in supporting the wing and supporting the Department of Defense’s traffic through here,” said Master Sgt. Frank, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron ATOC superintendent. “Over the past six months we have moved 8 thousand tons of cargo and moved 6.5 thousand passengers through here.”
“We make sure we keep everything moving because without our key function it would be pointless. We wouldn’t be able to get parts in, we wouldn’t be able to get the deployers, and redeployers in and out, so we play that critical part of the airlift that supports the whole logistics system.”
The 380 AEW plays a pivotal role in Operation Inherent Resolve, due to the hard work and strength of the port dawgs. They get the right people and equipment to the right place, at the right time.
The 380 port dawgs anxiously await their next complex challenge, ready to prove they can tear into any obstacle with success.