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Deployed Joint Base Andrews aerial porter, Helena native, supports air transportation efforts in Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  In the dark hours of the night, Senior Airman Douglas Misko is among 12 other air transportation Airmen deployed to operate the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Air Terminal Operations Center at a non-disclosed base here who can move cargo, passengers, or both on a moment's notice.

"We're here, 24 hours a day, ready meet the mission we have before us," said Airman Misko, an air transportation journeyman who is deployed from the 89th Aerial Port Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Md. "Our main mission is to support airlift missions transporting tons of sustainment cargo, baggage and passengers."

Each air transportation Airman deployed to the ATOC, including Airman Misko, has to maintain a myriad of skills and job knowledge. According to the official Air Force job description for the air transportation career field, they must maintain mandatory job knowledge in passenger and cargo movement functions to include transport aircraft types, capabilities, and configuration. They must also know weight and balance factors, airlift transportation directives and documentation, cargo securing techniques, border clearance requirements, operation of materials handling and other types of loading equipment or devices, fleet service functions.

"Our impact on the deployed mission here is what keeps everything moving," said Airman Misko, whose hometown is Helena, Mont. "Everywhere there is cargo moving - Airmen like us are there getting it done...every time. No matter how tough it is, aerial porters in Southwest Asia, Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere are doing what they're called to do."

Airman Misko's deployed unit ensures the safe and efficient upload and download of cargo and personnel on all organic and contracted aircraft to the base. To do the heavy lifting, they use specific material handling equipment such as forklifts capable of lifting upwards of 10,000 pounds of cargo and aircraft cargo loaders which are capable of holding pallets and cargo weighing up to 25,000 and 60,000 pounds. The loaders, when filled with cargo, are driven out to the aircraft, the deck is raised hydraulically, and powered rollers on the loader push the cargo on board the plane.

In joining the military, Airman Misko said he is where he is supposed to be.

"I'm glad to be somewhere knowing our work has a huge impact on the day-to-day events of service members in more austere locations elsewhere," Airman Misko said.

The 380th ELRS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragonlady E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.