U.S., Japanese Airmen train for Red Flag-Alaska

by Airman 1st Class Sean Martin
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

5/20/2010 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Loadmasters from the 36th Airlift Squadron recently trained six members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force in the process of Joint Air Delivery Inspection here.

The two-day training focused on the specifics of preparing and inspecting cargo for air delivery scenarios like the ones that will take place during Red Flag-Alaska 2010.

"For Red Flag-Alaska, we are using different types of equipment and platforms, so we wanted to know the usage of them for the air delivery," said 1st Lt. Kazunori Takahara, a JASDF C-130 Hercules pilot.

U.S. loadmasters trained their JASDF counterparts while loading two C-130 aircraft with one container delivery system and two heavy equipment bundles each.

The CDS is a commonly-used method of air delivery that allows Airmen to quickly and safely deliver supply loads too heavy for the individual jumper to carry. The bundles are used to deliver supplies, food, water and other materials to Airmen in the field. The heavy equipment bundles are used to deliver Humvees and other large equipment needed for airbase stand-up and maintenance.

"It was a privilege to get to work with and learn from each other and to demonstrate how to inspect and use our equipment," said Master Sgt. Dale Nyhus, a 374th Operations Support Squadron joint air delivery inspector and C-130 loadmaster.

Once the cargo was inspected and signed off, the crews loaded up and flew to the nearby Camp Fuji drop-zone to deliver their payloads.

The bilateral training event was the first time JASDF airmen were able to work with Yokota AB's loadmasters to learn the details of this specific type of cargo distribution.

"The loadmasters were very kind to teach us how to perform the JAI and how to use the equipment of the United States," Lieutenant Takahara said. "I'm very satisfied with this event and would like to do it again next year."