Afghan air force develops loadmasters as C-27 fleet expands

  • Published
  • By Petty Officer 2nd Class Vladimir Potapenko
  • 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Kabul, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  As the Afghan air force C-27A Spartan fleet grows -- now half way to its goal of twenty of the cargo/transport aircraft seen as the centerpiece of the AAF -- so does the need for qualified loadmasters.

Responsible for the cargo, personnel and safety of the aircraft, the loadmaster backs up the pilot on everything aft of the cockpit, contributing to the full-crew concept of flight operations and setting the stage for mission accomplishment. What is significant about C-27 loadmasters compared to those of other cargo aircrafts is with the C-27, loadmasters also act as flight engineers.

"While pilots fly the aircraft, the loadmasters fulfill the C-27s function as an air-mobility mover," said Master Sgt. Chris Neufeld, a NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan C-27 loadmaster adviser with the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron.

Because of the importance of loadmasters to mission success Sergeant Neufeld and other advisers with the 538th AEAS work hard to develop the AAF's loadmaster corps at the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul through classroom training and practical exercises.

Though class-work and practice can be beneficial, Sergeant Neufeld said he believes there is no greater training platform than performing the job of a loadmaster in a real-world scenario. That was the situation AAF loadmasters-in-training Sergeants Malik Khan and Gukbahar found themselves in Feb. 21.

When the 10th C-27  arrived here Feb. 20, the loadmasters of the 538th AEAS decided not to unload the equipment brought from Italy along with the plane so the Afghan Airmen could experience unloading the aircraft. The next day, Sergeants Khan and Gukbahar joined Sergeant Neufeld to do just that.

Getting the opportunity to handle the responsibilities of a loadmaster during an actual operation for the first time, Sergeants Khan and Gukbahar demonstrated their knowledge of hand-signaling, aircraft operation, forklift handling and safety awareness to successfully remove equipment, such as spare parts, that will go into maintaining the AAF's C-27 fleet.

"They are coming along great," Sergeant Neufeld said. "All of the responsibilities a C-27 loadmaster has is a lot to ask for from any professional, so it is incredible the progress and dedication of the Afghan Airmen."

"We are learning how to be proper loadmasters to improve our career field and serve our country," Sergeant Khan said. "We are going to take what we learn and teach it to others who come after us. Right now, we are learning all that we can from our instructors, so that in the future we can have Afghans teaching Afghans and help the AAF become an independent force."

Not only beneficial to the Afghan air force, Sergeant Gukbahar said he feels qualified loadmasters who are capable of bringing the C-27 to its full mission potential provide his country and its people with a sense of protection.

"An army without a proper air force looks weak, and you need skilled professionals to make a proper air force," he said. "The air force not only helps to project power but also provides security to the people with its ability to reach anyone in the country and provide them with support."