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AAF develops loadmasters as C-27 fleet continues expansion

  • Published
  • By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Vladimir Potapenko
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Kabul, Afghanistan --  As the Afghan Air Force C-27A Spartan fleet grows--now half way to its goal of twenty of the cargo/transport aircraft seen as the centerpiece of the AAF--so does the need for qualified loadmasters.

Responsible for the cargo, personnel and safety of the aircraft, the loadmaster backs up the pilot on everything aft of the cock-pit, contributing to the full-crew concept of flight operations and setting the stage for mission accomplishment. What is significant about C-27 loadmasters compared to those of other cargo aircrafts is the fact that with the C-27, loadmasters also act as flight engineers.

"While pilots fly the aircraft, the loadmasters fulfill the C-27s function as an air-mobility mover," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Chris Neufeld, a NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan C-27 loadmaster advisor with the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron.
Because of the importance of loadmasters to mission success, Sergeant Neufeld, originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and other advisors with the 538th AEAS work hard to develop the AAF's loadmaster corps at the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul through classroom training and practical exercises.

Though however beneficial class-work and practice can be, Sergeant Neufeld believes there is no greater training platform than performing the job of a loadmaster in a real-world scenario. That was the situation AAF loadmasters-in-training Sergeants Malik Khan and Gukbahar found themselves in Feb. 21.

When the tenth C-27 belonging to the AAF arrived in Kabul Feb. 20, the loadmasters of the 538th AEAS decided not to unload the equipment brought from Italy along with the plane so that Afghan Airmen can experience unloading the aircraft. The next day, Sergeants Khan and Gukbahar joined Sergeant Neufeld to do just that.

Getting the opportunity to handle the responsibilities of a loadmaster during an actual operation for the first time, Sergeants Khan and Gukbahar demonstrated their knowledge of hand-signaling, aircraft operation, forklift handling and safety awareness to successfully remove equipment, such as spare parts, that will go into maintaining the AAF's C-27 fleet.

"They are coming along great," said Sergeant Neufeld. "All of the responsibilities a C-27 loadmaster has is a lot to ask for from any professional, so it is incredible the progress and dedication of the Afghan Airmen."

"We are learning how to be proper loadmasters to improve our career field and serve our country," said Sergeant Khan. "We are going to take what we learn and teach it to others who come after us. Right now, we are learning all that we can from our instructors so that in the future we can have Afghans teaching Afghans and help the AAF become an independent force,"

Not only beneficial to the Afghan Air Force, Sergeant Gukbahar feels qualified loadmasters capable of bringing the C-27 to its full mission potential provide his country and its people with a sense of protection.

"An army without a proper air force looks weak, and you need skilled professionals to make a proper air force. The air force not only helps to project power but also provides security to the people with its ability to reach anyone in the country and provide them with support," he said.

As Sergeants Khan and Gukbahar edge closer to their goal of helping sustain such a force, they have a clear impression of who to thank for their success.

"Thanks go to our advisors and instructors whose time and effort advance the independence of the Afghan Air Force and the Afghan people," said Sergeant Gukbahar.