Airlifting delivers supplies to the warfighter, while decreasing
the number of convoy missions.
By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq, Nov. 29, 2006 — With each pallet pushed onto an aircraft flying out of Balad, another dangerous convoy mission is avoided and lives are potentially saved.
The "Port Dawgs" assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Flight, ensure assets are delivered to forward-operating locations throughout Iraq.
"We provide the unique capability to put massive amounts of personnel and equipment on the ground in a matter of hours," said Master Sgt. Jerry Miller, air terminal operations center and freight superintendent.
"We transport the 'bullets and beans' to the fight and then provide replacement parts and people through airpower," Miller said. He is deployed from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
The port flight moves nearly 26,000 passengers and 8,000 tons of cargo per month, said Lt. Col. Zev York, the 332nd ELRS commander deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
One convoy mission involves approximately 20 vehicles and 55 soldiers. With each convoy approximately 240 tons and 80 pallets get delivered, York said.
"If we fly 1,000 tons by air, then we keep about 80 trucks and more than 200 soldiers off the road," he said.
Airlifting provides a safer means to deliver much needed supplies and people as well as the capacity to deliver more at any given time, York said.
"The more we move by air, the less we move by road," said the colonel. "Airlift provides a quicker and safer way to deliver the cargo and personnel to accomplish missions."
The flight is divided into five key areas -- ATOC, load planning, ramp services, cargo processing and special handling.
ATOC provides all command-and-control coordination for the flight. Load planning ensures all cargo scheduled for airlift meet weight and balance requirements. Ramp services ensure cargo is loaded and unloaded onto aircraft. Cargo processing handles the build up and breakdown of pallets and special handling deals with hazardous materials and human remains.
"Our finest hour comes when we are able to respectfully return the remains of those who gave all in helping Iraq transition to democracy," Miller said.
The flight is also responsible for coordinating and certifying hazardous cargo movements with other locations and ensuring safety when loading the cargo onto aircraft. Miller said the aerial port here is responsible for the building and breakdown of equipment to ensure it is ready for air travel.
In addition to the port's day-to-day responsibilities, the "Port Dawgs" recently became a part of history when they worked with the Iraqi air force during their first mission of delivering coalition cargo within the area of responsibility.
"This was pretty significant because it's actually showing the progress that is being made here," said Airman 1st Class Colton Markowski, ramp services journeyman deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "It's bringing us one step closer to achieving our goal of helping to transition this country into a more democratic nation."
The flight also recently began operating out of their new aerial port complex. The complex provides 1,388,000 square feet of concrete pavement, in which 48,000 square feet are covered in the form of the new Balad Aerial Port Control Center and Air Freight Warehouse. Construction of the facility took about 18 months.
"Everything was in sand and rocks before," Markowski said. "This new facility allows us to operate a lot smoother and more efficiently."
To best sum up the port's mission, "we basically provide anything you need to complete the mission," Markowski said.
"Our airpower is going to get you timely service and we have fun doing it," he said.
(right click image, then "Save as")
Stumble It!
