SOUTHWEST ASIA --
Air transportation specialists with the 332nd Expeditionary Logistic Readiness Squadron fulfills an important role in military missions by loading, unloading, and preparing supplies and equipment for transportation.
On March 7, after unloading multiple pallets of cargo, the Airmen loaded a C-17 Globemaster III with several mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles and supplies for transportation at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.
“We did a very good job today; things went very smoothly and efficiently,” said Senior Airman Shane Ellis, 332nd Expeditionary Logistic Readiness Squadron load team chief. “First, we set up a load plan for what we are going to put on the plane and … (then) ensure all the cargo is safely tied down and locked down – like the MRAPs; we were chaining them down to ensure there was enough resistance to prevent them from moving while in flight.”
The squadron is one of the several units under the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, which directly supports Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. The wing accomplishes this through a wide array of combat Air Force capabilities including precision strike; aerial refueling; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and combat search and rescue.
The 332nd ELRS helps facilitate these activities by ensuring that “all cargo going into the air gets to its location.”
They are in charge of all cargo that goes up into the air, Ellis explained, starting with the inspection of the cargo. Then they plan how everything will be loaded onto the aircraft, ensuring the weight is properly distributed to maintain the aircraft’s balance so it may take off and fly safely, before actually loading and securing everything.
“Without us, nothing gets into the air … it can’t be done without us," he continued.
“I like that we are part of something important,” Ellis added. “It feels as if I am part of something bigger than myself.”
(Source: 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing fact sheet)