Seamless mobility - Travis port dawgs train with Texas Reservists

by Ellen Hatfield
349th Public Affairs

9/10/2014 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- Travis Air Force Base has built a reputation for an associate partnership that demonstrates "one team, no seam," a phrase coined by Brig. Gen. Jay Flournoy, former 349th Air Mobility Wing commander. So when the 26th Aerial Port Squadron reservists from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, needed proficiency and initial training, partner with the 60th APS here during their two-week annual tour.

It was an opportunity they don't get at home station, as the 26th APS is the only aerial port squadron on an active duty training base, which is home to Air Force basic military training.

"Working with their hands, getting in and doing the job, is what it's all about," said Master Sgt. Geoffrey Rodgers, 26th APS deputy superintendent. "I have one tech sergeant who is a passenger terminal specialist, some just back from deployment, one senior airman who is a 60K Tunner driver, sharing this experience, and busting their butts getting it done."

Rodgers got to see something that he had never seen in his career: a full 36-pallet load of a C-5. The aircraft was from Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts; right next to it, another had landed, ready to be loaded, from the 433rd Airlift Wing, the 26th APS's home wing.

Standing inside the giant beast, the load master opened up the rear door, and 60K loaders rolled in from both sides, waiting to start. Then began the Port Dawg Dance.

Rodgers said it's a precision line-up, side by side pallets, with only three to five inches of clearance on either side. As the 60K brings the load up level with the deck, Tech. Sgt. Epifanio Lopez hunkers down, and with smooth hand signals, guides the loader in, so the rollers on the deck line up. Rodgers points out the locks on the pallet, that keep the load from moving. "They flip the lock, and rock to unlock, to let it roll off, and get it ready to roll down," he said.

The team begins the forward roll, spotting on either side to keep the pallet going straight. A bit to either side, and it gets stuck, and they rock it backwards, until they get an even forward roll again. One after the other, two teams roll them to the front of the aircraft, packed in tight. Because of their skill, focus and teamwork, they don't have many get stuck to slow down their rhythm and momentum.

"The rollers can spin the pallets 360 degrees, as needed for the fit, " said Rodgers, as another Airman driving the 60K loader, delivered the last six pallets of six loads. He said they would definitely come to train again with the Travis team, as it is close to home, and the best use of their resources to get their Airmen trained.

"I can't say enough good about the integration here, between the active and Reserve," he said. "They answered questions patiently, and were willing to make the time and give the effort, to make sure we got what we needed. This was a really great experience, we really felt welcome."