News

Dual unit training gives Reservists the big picture

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicole Celestine
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Reservists with the 86th Aerial Port Squadron sure know how to make racking and stacking look easy...and with good reason.

Every UTA weekend, the aerial porters run specific strategic port scenarios, honing skills vital to deployment settings. The training includes transporting cargo, ramp and air terminal operations, and passenger services. The latest training scenario involved seamless teamwork as the 86th APS linked up with the 446th Force Support Squadron Services Sustainment Flight, transporting simulated casualties onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

Coordinating these scenarios is the brainchild of Senior Master Sgt. Ron Cargill and Master Sgt. John Stimer. As 86th APS training superintendent and operations special handling NCOIC respectively, the veteran Reservists incorporate these training scenarios into their air transportation standardization and evaluation program, to help broaden aerial porters' capabilities. They said response to the program has been encouraging because Airmen know it gives them opportunities to develop their expertise on aerial port operations.

"Training helps us maintain our proficiency," said Sergeant Cargill, a Reservist for almost 24 years. "It also helps us complete upgrade training requirements because we physically have to perform the activity-whether it's building a pallet or performing a joint inspection. We've got to be proficient, not only to be upgraded, but to get our jobs done."

According to Lt. Col. Patricia Vardella Keenan, 446th SSF chief, these training scenarios give her Reservists a better understanding of how the entire process comes together. "We have a distinct role in the dignified transfer at Dover Port Mortuary, Dover Air Force Base, Del., and the aerial porters have a specific role to play as well," said the colonel. "We're bringing all those responsibilities together in one exercise scenario and completing all paperwork that's included in the process, in its entirety."

Sergeant Stimer, a resident of Spanaway, Wash., said the training helps bolster the teamwork concept within the 446th Airlift Wing. "We've built great relationships with other units on base," said Sergeant Stimer. "It's a win-win for our units to go through their checklists."

This month's collaboration comes in anticipation of the logistics compliance program inspection, scheduled for May 16. The inspection, a MAJCOM-directed program, evaluates the readiness of aerial porters, maintenance and logistics readiness personnel.