Airmen at Misawa Air Base handle heavy airlift traffic

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phillip Butterfield
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  Since the beginning of Operation Tomodachi, the aircraft ramps here have been a hive of activity, receiving and launching cargo planes full of relief supplies and aid workers.

As of March 16, Airmen here have serviced aircraft including Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs, Boeing 767s and Navy C-2 Greyhounds. These aircraft have ferried in 329 passengers and 254 short tons of cargo. Before they headed out, they drank up 111,000 gallons of fuel.

This feat of logistics is almost entirely due to the hard work of the 35thth Logistics Readiness Squadron's cargo load teams and petroleum, oils and lubricants flight members.

"When the call came down that we were going to start seeing a large influx of heavy airlift traffic, my team sprung into action," said Capt. Ryan Ellis, the 35th LRS materiel management flight commander.

As the first aircraft approached, the cargo load teams positioned their forklifts and cargo loaders in preparation for the cargo doors to open.

"We handled this influx of different aircraft types and cargos like we do any other passenger or cargo movement, but faster and with less information," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Turini, the 35th LRS plans and integration section chief. "Every member of the team is doing his or her part to get the job done."

Even after the cargo is loaded, the 35th LRS Airmen are not done with the aircraft yet. In order to get it back into the air, the plane must take on fuel and POL Airmen have a fuel truck waiting in the wings for this.

"Our highly trained fuels professionals pull up to the aircraft and dispense the requested amount accurately and efficiently every time," said Master Sgt. Mark Wakefield, the 35th LRS fuels operations section chief.

Airmen in the 35th LRS will have a pivotal role to play for the duration of Operation Tomodachi as the base assists the government of Japan with recovery operations.

"The work that these Airmen are putting in around the clock is simply phenomenal," said Captain Ellis. "The swift actions and professionalism of the 35th LRS is what keeps the airfield running smoothly."