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"Port Dawgs" supply the fight

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan sustain cargo and passenger movement in the busiest aerial port in the Department of Defense. The aerial porters also known as "Port Dawgs" work around the clock to ensure timely delivery of people and supplies.

"Here, we move cargo that supports all service members," said Staff Sgt. Gregory Wurzbach, 455th EAPS ramp-load team chief deployed from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii and a native of Canton, Ohio. When I download cargo I know it's going for the greater good, it's someone's equipment, medical supplies, and vehicles... items that can save our service members' lives."

The squadron is divided into five sections that work together. Passenger service oversees moving people and baggage while special handling moves vehicles, weapons and ammunition. Ramp service handles the loading and unloading of cargo and equipment pallets from different aircraft. The short take-off and landing section manages small aircraft loading operation. Lastly, the air terminal operations center controls all aerial port operations. They monitor what comes in and out of the airfield.

"Although each section works as a single entity we have to work together," said Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Vanoss, 455th EAPS chief enlisted manager deployed from Travis Air Force Base, California and a native of Munster, Wisconsin. "We need to be able to have that synergy in order to accomplish the mission."

To support the mission in Afghanistan, the team works 24-hours a day, seven days a week loading and unloading vital equipment.

"Airflow does not stop, nor do the needs of our brothers and sisters operating in harm's way," said Vanoss. "Delivering support to them is an unwavering commitment."

The aerial porters service an average of 1,300 aircraft, 12, 000 tons of cargo and 9,000 passengers per month. Within the last six months, the "Port Dawgs" have redeployed more than 800 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and loaded more than 300 crucial parts for 167 C-130 and CV-22 aircraft.

While the main mission of an aerial porter is to move cargo and personnel, they also respond to unpredicted events, such as humanitarian relief efforts, helping necessary supplies flow.

For a swift operation, scheduled or unexpected, teamwork is necessary according to Wurzbach.

"Everyone is involved, and it takes more than an individual to make the mission happen," he said. "The job is completed with clear communication and coordination, I cannot emphasize enough that the mission cannot be done without the team that surrounds me."