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386th ELRS supplies the front lines

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shaun Emery
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron is in the business of moving cargo.

When ground commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan needs troops, equipment and supplies, the 386th ELRS records, packs and loads each piece to be safely delivered to servicemembers when and where they need it most.

Currently, the "where" is Afghanistan, and judging by the numbers for members of the 386th Aerial Port Flight, the "when" is yesterday. During an average day, the 386th APF here provides processes and loads more than 2,000 troops and 200 short-tons of cargo.

Then there are days like Aug. 17, when 40 C-130 Hercules and 30 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft delivered more than 3,000 passengers and nearly 400 short-tons of cargo.

"That was a big day for us," said Capt. Lydia Chebino, 386th APF commander, deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy. "It was a great example of the team effort it takes to get cargo where it needs to be on time."

Captain Chebino's team consists of cargo processers, load planners and a ramp team. While each section performs a specific function necessary to get cargo out the door, the one singular focus is safety. And a system of checks and balances ensures everyone is on the same page, including the air crews scheduled to make the deliveries.

"Everything we do is for the safety of the flight," said Chief Master Sgt. Larry O'Connell, 386th ELRS chief enlisted manager. "There is no room for error. It's hard to fix a problem once the plane is in the air."

The checks and balances begin as soon as the 386th ELRS takes delivery of cargo bound for the AOR. When cargo arrives, cargo processers go to work. Each piece of equipment, box of bullets or vehicle comes with paperwork that lists the cargo's dimensions and weight. But cargo processers take nothing for granted. Each piece of cargo is individually weighed and measured to ensure it matches the paperwork.

"By checking the weight and paperwork we are making sure the cargo is air worthy," said Staff Sgt. Mitchell Westin, a 386th Aerial Port Flight air transportation journeyman from Dover Air Force Base, Del. "We also make sure all HAZMAT declarations are properly filled out, or it doesn't go on the plane. We are the first line of defense against something getting loaded that doesn't belong there," he said.

Two things going on aircraft more and more frequently these days are Mine Resistant Armored Personnel carriers or MRAPs and ammunition.

Since July, the 386th APF has shipped more than 225 MRAPs to Afghanistan at an average of 10 per day. And when it comes to bullets, the 386th APF is vital, processing and loading 98 percent of the ammunition going to Afghanistan; more than 1,000 short-tons a month.

Getting the right measurements on the MRAP is important because the 386th APF tries to maximize what they can get on an aircraft. So each vehicle is driven on scales and weighed by a joint inspection team. Under the right conditions, up to three MRAPs can be transported on a C-17 at one time, which means, the more that can be loaded, the more that can be used by forces in Afghanistan.

Captain Chebino said, knowing the 386th APF is putting valuable equipment on the ground makes her feel connected to operations going on there.

"Between MRAPs and ammo, I feel like we are really in the fight," she said. "When you're on the plane with the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines going to Iraq or Afghanistan it feels like you're a part of the team."

Next, once cargo processers give the okay, the cargo gets a placard and goes to the yard to await shipment. The info is logged in a computer and it's handed over to load planners, whose job is to figure out how to make everything fit.

Pulling information from their database, load planners configure a plan using an Automated Air Load Planning System, to make sure the load is correctly balanced and not overweight; two factors that could cause disaster if not done correctly.

"We are the last stop before it rolls out to the aircraft," said Staff Sgt. John Cousineau, 386th APF load planner from Travis AFB, Calif. "We recheck its airworthiness and balance and stamp our seal of approval on it. If we aren't paying attention and make a mistake and the loadmaster doesn't see it, it could be catastrophic for the crew."

Finally, when it's time for cargo to get loaded, the heavy lifters from ramp services get the call. Using forklifts, 25 K-loaders, the Next Generation Small Loader and often a little muscle-power, the ramp team works with the loadmaster to secure the cargo on the aircraft. Once complete, they move on to the next empty aircraft.

"It's really a testament to the Airmen working out here," said Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Buschang, 386th Aerial Port Flight Superintendant, deployed with the New York Air National Guard. "It's hot out there, but they show up every day and safely pack these aircraft with cargo. They are directly supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan."

While they've been racking up some pretty impressive numbers this summer, Captain Chebino sees more work ahead in the future as focus shifts to Afghanistan. She said she's confident her flight could handle whatever is thrown their way, and that someday they'll have a chance to look back and see the impact they are making today.

"We are playing a major role in one of the biggest theater swings in history," she said. "I tell my Airmen that someday they'll look in history books and know that they were a part of it."

But until then, the 386th ELRS and the 386th APF will continue providing customer service to commanders on the ground, moving cargo safely and on time to those who need it most.