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Training: Essential piece of mission puzzle

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar
  • U.S. AFCENT Combat Camera
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  A high operations tempo full of airdrops, cargo movement and passenger transport topped with providing necessary training to Airmen new to not only the world of deployments, but also the Air Force, makes for a straining 120 days in the desert.

Staff Sgt. Brandon Nontelle, an 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III instructor airdrop loadmaster deployed from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., is aware of expectations for him to ensure Airmen under his watch obtain the necessary experience, knowledge and guidance to send them to the next level in their careers as loadmasters.

During a mission carrying cargo and passengers throughout the area of responsibility July 6, Sergeant Nontelle explained the difference between training Airmen at homestation and while deployed.

"Obviously, there are a few things that we take into account here that we don't at homestation. Today we're doing a basic air/land upgrade covering everything from tie-down procedures on pallets and rolling stock, aircraft limitations, and (crew resource management) between crew members," Sergeant Nontelle said. "(And) judgment is huge out here when it comes to knowing the books and applying them to the job."

Perfecting any skill requires a lot of time and experience. For these Airmen to perfect their abilities as a loadmaster requires consistent and tedious instruction, both hands-on and in the books.

"There are a lot of opportunities for training," said Airman 1st Class Tyler Hertzog, an 816th EAS C-17 loadmaster currently undergoing loadmaster qualification training. "We've done basically everything that you can do on a C-17. We've uploaded vehicles and pallets, had passengers, had crazy cargo - a lot of things you don't see at homestation - like helicopters, helium trailers, just a lot of different things."

As operations tempos have increased in recent years, young Airmen have been challenged with more responsibilities, earlier in their careers. As an 18 year old, Airman Hertzog has been in the Air Force slightly more than a year and is already on his first deployment.

"Everybody's got to go through a deployment, so why not get out of the way for right now," said Airman Hertzog, a Harrisburg, Pa., native also deployed from McChord AFB.

Due to overseas contingency operations, young loadmasters are also deploying earlier and can still be undergoing training when they deploy.

"As soon as Airmen get their mission qualification, they're ready to deploy (though some Airmen initially) go through the local upgrade process," said Sergeant Nontelle. "For the individuals I have with me today, they kind of got fast-tracked... they got tossed right into the deployment.

"They came here unqualified and it was our job to get them qualified... until they're ready to go by themselves," said the 24-year-old instructor loadmaster on his second deployment in his four-year Air Force career.

With Airmen constantly taking on more responsibilities, keeping track of Airman isn't always just about the job. There are other things a supervisor and trainer need to take into consideration with their peers and their subordinates, especially with younger, less-experienced Airmen being placed in new environments and positions downrange.

"It's definitely nerve-racking (for Airmen taking on new responsibilities at a younger age). It's stressful and it can be difficult at times," said Sergeant Nontelle, a Lacrosse, Wis., native. "It's just an extreme amount of information that they're trying to process and apply to the job itself."

Sergeant Nontelle keeps a watchful eye on the Airmen he trains, observes how they're handling their first deployment, and advises them on different ways to relieve stress, he said.

Whether it's keeping tabs on the well-being of Airmen, upgrade training and qualification, or just staying on track to get each mission accomplished with the perfection and professionalism expected, the 816th EAS Airmen are flying with purpose and answering the Air Force's call for support.

"Every day is a learning opportunity, a new experience," said Sergeant Nontelle. "We definitely see these guys improving everyday... It's their job to be the overseer of everything that happens in the back and it's really neat to see them come into their own and really take charge."

These missions help "them appreciate getting outside of the desert and doing something for the job, and they also get to see the impact of the missions. They really see how what we do affects everybody else," he said. "Flying to Iraq and Afghanistan day in and day out, night, morning, day - this is the environment that we operate in. This is the heart of what we do."