NEVADA AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Nev. -- The 192nd Airlift Squadron Loadmaster Section conducted a joint aircraft loading exercise with the Air Terminal Function personnel and the 92nd Civil Support Team from Carson City. This training provided junior loadmasters vital pre-deployment training loading a 6-Ton Ford 550 using the ground loading ramps. This also allows the 92nd CST experience with the proper loading and assisting with securing their vehicle into the C-130.
This training was led by 192 AS’s newest loadmaster instructor, Tech. Sgt. Andrew Victor. He provided pivotal input to Senior Airmen Benjamin Smith, Richard Vera and William Cote, who have never loaded a vehicle of such size and difficulty.
Any event of this type requires some coordination.
“Initial communication between the 92 CST and the Air Terminal Function was done by Senior Master Sgt. Jonathan Baker a few months ago,” said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Siler of the 192nd Airlift Squadron. “Once contact was established all coordination was then handed down and planned through myself and Lt. Hornback from the 92 CST.”
Lt. Hornback and his team of 22 came to the Nevada Air National Guard base July 30 for additional training.
Siler continued, “We taught the team how to properly conduct ‘center of balance’ on a vehicle, along with what items we look for during our Joint Inspection, and how to properly secure any additional cargo that may be accompanying that vehicle. Later in the afternoon the Air Terminal Function personnel took Lt. Hornback and his team out to one of our C-130 Aircraft to show his team how to properly load one of their bigger vehicles onto the C-130 and properly restrain the vehicle to the aircraft floor.”
A tight squeeze inside the C-130.
“The vehicle we loaded was 268 inches long, 97 inches wide, 102 inches tall and a total weight of 12,320 lbs. The maximum height allowed on the C-130 is 103 inches. Putting this vehicle on the aircraft meant it had to be precise, since we have hardly any room for error. With the help of our many experienced load masters, we were able to get the vehicle on without any problems and the entire loading procedure went very smoothly. Between the loadmasters and [aerial] porters, we were able to show and explain how to properly restrain the vehicle with ‘chains and devices.’”
Building lasting relationships: Next year, the 92nd CST is scheduled to travel to Guam.
“Looks like they would love to have a(n) [aerial] porter be augmented and come with them next year when they go to Guam. We can assist with expediting all the cargo/vehicles as air worthy, and this will give our Airman the opportunity to get additional training, trips, and opportunity to further develop this relationship between sister services,” Siler said.
Siler concluded, “We plan to have a select number of members that will be on an augmentee list, so that anytime they leave town, we can send someone along with them. Essentially building a team where a porter will always be attached to the 92 CST. These topics still need to be run by the leadership, but I look forward to these discussions and building toward this team approach.”