Rock Solid Warrior Published Dec. 18, 2007 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Senior Airman Ramon Mestas Aerial port load planner Home unit/base: 37th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas How do you support the mission here? As an Air Mobility Command certified load planner, I am responsible for planning, selecting, sequencing and monitoring each aircraft's cargo or mail load that departs this base. Having extensive job knowledge and being familiar with various air frames -- KC-10, KC-135, C-5, C-17, C-130 and civilian cargo aircraft -- enables me to obtain maximum utilization of all departing missions. How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is the third time that I have deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In all my deployments and career experiences, I've never moved so much war-fighting cargo as I've done here. It is a great feeling knowing that the loads of equipment I plan will play a direct role in the Global War on Terrorism. How does your job differ in a deployed environment versus home base? Being at home station you really don't see or feel the direct impact you have on the mission. In a deployed environment you get that feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end of the duty day. Logistically, I feel my job is the most important in the area of responsibility; without the aerial port the war would have to take a "time out."