Port Dogs reinforce safety

Airmen assigned to the 455th Expedtionary Aerial Port Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, drive a Tunner 60K loader through an obstacle course on the flightline here Oct. 3, 2010. The course was part of a class meant to reinforce safe operational practices. The loader is named after the late Lt. Gen. William H. Tunner, a former commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.(U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Drew Nystrom)

Port Dogs reinforce safety

Port Dogs reinforce safety on world's busiest flightline

Published Oct. 5, 2010
By Tech. Sgt. Drew Nystrom
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron load and unload cargo and passengers at one of the busiest airfields in the world. More than 1,000 passengers and nearly 720 short tons of cargo transit through the airfield here daily and it's the job of the aerial port squadron to make sure their mission is accomplished safely.

The 455th EAPS recently conducted Tunner 60K loader refresher safety training classes here to reinforce practices ensuring the mission is accomplished in the safest way possible.

According to the squadron's safety noncommissioned officer in charge, an analysis of mishap trends indicates the rotation of personnel brings a heightened state of risk.

"We've noticed some trends when we have a changeover and the mishaps we have experienced generally occurred within an Airman's first 30 days on the ground and the last 20 days of a deployment," said Tech. Sgt. Bob Medlock, assigned to the 455th EAPS.

After considering ways to mitigate potentially unsafe practices, the EAPS leadership gave Medlock the go-ahead to implement a forward-deployed safety training program.

"To combat these trends, we've initiated the safety class to curb the incident rate, build confidence and establish esprit de corps," he said.

The class, about three hours in length, covers inspection and operating procedures of the loader with special emphasis placed on maneuvering the 49-foot-long vehicle.

According to Senior Airman Lucas Culbertson, an aerial port transportation journeyman assigned to the 455th EAPS, the class was worthwhile and aerial porters will reap the benefits of the refresher training.

"To initially get certified on the loader we go through a two-week course," Culbertson said. "After that, it's all basic refresher training so it's nice to really get in-depth again regarding clearances, heights, and basically reinforce those tidbits you already know, but maybe have let slip."

While the Tunner 60K loader was the first class the squadron administered, it won't be the last.

"We looked at the trends and started with the loading guys out here because this is where the action is," Medlock said.

"We're going to hit each area - the short take off and landing loaders and passenger buses - but we wanted to start where we've seen the most mishaps first," he said.

This forward-deployed training is important considering nearly 75-percent of the aerial ports squadron is made up of air reserve component personnel who normally get one-weekend a month plus their two weeks of annual tour to keep their skills proficient, according to Medlock.

On the flightline and in the cargo yard, there is no way to differentiate between statuses though as the 455th "Port Dogs" continue shattering cargo movement records and doing it with less - in some cases half-- the assigned personnel of comparable units stateside.

During the second quarter of 2010, the 455th EAPS moved 93,793 passengers and 65,422 short tons of cargo with 140 porters assigned compared to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, which moved 62, 306 passengers and 15, 243 short tons of cargo with more than 500 assigned personnel.

Those numbers wouldn't be nearly as satisfying though, according to Medlock, a Davie,
Fla., native, if people, equipment or aircraft were hurt or damaged in the process.

"We haven't had any serious mishaps lately," Medlock said. "In the past, people have lost fingers and things like that and I just don't want it to happen to these guys.

"Safety isn't there to get you in trouble. They're there to help you and that's the focus we want the whole port to know. We're one team, one fight and we all want to accomplish the mission and go home ... together."