News

Reserve loadmasters join active-duty for deployment

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  As with any successful, well-executed dish, adding a few special spices is what elevates a meal to a five-star level. The same can be said with executing the airlift and airdrop missions in support of Operation New Dawn. In this case, the special spices sprinkled into the main dish are four Reserve loadmasters, who will join the active-duty's 7th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., as it deploys to Southwest Asia.

Volunteering to supplement the loadmaster contingent for this deployment are Senior Master Sgt. David Kist, 97th Airlift Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Craig Johnson, 313th AS, Senior Airman Jayne Alexander, 97th AS, and Senior Airman Mitchell Williams, 97th AS.

The four Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing left with the 7th Airlift Squadron Dec. 28 to become part of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at a forward operating base in Southwest Asia.

"This deployment is considered a voluntary mobilization," said Sergeant Johnson. "Being a 15-year member of the 313th Airlift Squadron, it will feel weird to wear another squadron's patch, if only for a few months."

According to Chief Master Sgt. James Caron, the 7th Airlift Squadron was short on qualified loadmasters for this deployment, and sent out an e-mail request for volunteers. It didn't take long for Reservists to step forward.

"We've sent loadmasters here and there to supplement the active-duty," said the chief, the 97th Airlift Squadron's chief loadmaster. "But this is the first time we've sent four a once."

As more and more Reservist come off long-term orders, Chief Caron expects more volunteers will be available for future requirements. And many of those Reservists are former active-duty Airmen.

"Senior Airman Alexander is just one of many former active-duty loadmasters who have come over to the Reserve," said the chief. "As a matter of fact, she used to be assigned to the 7th Airlift Squadron."

Volunteering to deploy has its benefits for Reservists.

"I decided to volunteer to deploy with the 7th Airlift Squadron for two reasons. The first is the C-17 airdrop mission in Afghanistan is heavily impacting how the war fighter can execute their mission. Every pallet or bundle we can delivery by air is one less that has to driven over deadly roads putting American soldiers at great risk. The second reason is that being a fairly new airdrop-qualified loadmaster, it will afford me the opportunity to sharpen my skills and in the process become a better loadmaster," said Sergeant Johnson.

Although this is his first deployment as an airdrop-qualified loadmaster, Sergeant Johnson, like many of today's Reservists, is not new to the dance.

"As an airland loadmaster, I started volunteering for Southwest Asia in early 2002. I have over 200 combat missions and 1000-plus combat flying hours. I still feel as strongly about volunteering as the first Operation Enduring Freedom mission I flew in 2002," said Sergeant Johnson.

The mission of the 816th EAS is to provide global strategic airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian relief, to create an air bridge for personnel, equipment and supplies throughout their assigned areas of responsibility.