Airmen lend a hand to world leaders

  • Published
  • By Benjamin Newell
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFNS) --  Fifty aerial porters from Air Mobility Command bases throughout the United States were tasked to augment porters supporting the Nuclear Security Summit April 12 through 13 in Washington, D.C.

Aerial porters executed a normal operations load of 98 missions throughout the summit in addition to 58 summit missions. Those everyday missions may include military leaders, Congressmen and distinguished visitors from abroad, as well as medical transports bringing wounded warriors stateside.

To accomplish this, the 89th Aerial Port Squadron staff split 96 available Andrews Air Force Base porters into two packages of 48. Half supported daily missions, while the remaining 48 Airmen combined with 50 AMC sourced porters to tackle the Nuclear Security Summit mission.

An aerial porter's job begins when an aircraft taxis to a full stop, and it doesn't end until it departs again for takeoff.

"We take pride in the fact that our Airmen are among the first to interact with distinguished visitors," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Anderson the 89th APS flight superintendent.

Airmen found themselves servicing nearly every type of aircraft imaginable at a furious pace. The majority of delegations arrived April 12, resulting in a particularly high operational tempo. Air Mobility Command officials supplied 19 pieces of equipment, including nine stairtrucks, in advance of the summit to service the massive operation.

As aircraft touched down and rolled to their initial download points on the tarmac, aerial porters swing into action. The aircraft is blocked and a stairtruck, driven by a porter, edges as close as possible to the aircraft without touching it.

After the distinguished visitors depart, the plane is escorted by porters to its parking space. Teams of porters descended on the jet as soon as it's stationary to perform services and prepare every aspect of the plane for takeoff. Lavatories are drained, crews, pallets and bins stacked with luggage and personal items are downloaded, and auxiliary power is hooked up. Food and fresh water are restocked, while the interior is cleaned. As many as 30 individuals, five vehicles and a generator simultaneously work behind the scenes.

Depending on the size, porters can clean, empty and restock an aircraft in 40 minutes.

"Having half of our (porters) from different units for this mission doesn't matter," said Maj. Joseph Whittington, the 89th APS interim commander. "Everyone in this community can show up and get the job done, working with totally new faces every day."


As the summit ended, porters prepared all of the aircraft for departure by loading cargo, refueling and ensuring auxiliary power was available for engine restart.

"I'll definitely be telling my grandkids about this," said Airman 1st Class Alex Rose from the 3rd APS at Pope AFB, N.C. "I typically handle cargo. Today, I'm supporting the largest gathering of world leaders in the United States since 1945. I even got to handle Air Force Two in support of Vice President Joe Biden's trip."