Pushing freight: ATOC moves cargo in, out of Ali quickly

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Andrew Gates
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  In a combat environment, speed and accuracy are key -- even more so when it comes to an aircraft.  And though most cargo aircraft are relatively agile when in the air, they are not while groundbound.

One team’s mission here is to make sure those aircraft stay on the ground for as short a time as necessary, and when they do take off, that they are packed with cargo.

That 12-person team, the Air Terminal Operations Center, works around the clock to move passengers and cargo on and off the C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules aircraft that transit Ali.  The team moves more than 700 tons of cargo and 4,000 passengers each month, according to Staff Sgt. Gregory Steffers, 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron load planner.
 
“Our mission is to meet each aircraft and provide the aircrew with top service,” he said. “We expedite all downloading and uploading procedures and get these aircraft back in the air.  When we have no planes on the ground, we prepare cargo to be moved out, and transfer inbound cargo to distribution agencies.” 

As a load planner, Sergeant Steffers makes sure that each aircraft is fully loaded. He starts with each aircraft’s configuration -- the physical number of seats available and the cargo configuration. He also takes into consideration the passengers and cargo “booked” by Air Mobility Command on the mission -- certain “must-move” cargo. After he determines what space is left, he can move any remaining cargo or passengers waiting for the first available aircraft. 

“My goal is to make sure each aircraft leaves here full,” he said.   “We have a group of people who excel in their job.   That makes it easy.”

The load planning aspect of the center is a highlight for another squadron Airman, Staff Sgt. Joe Lankford, deployed here from Altus Air Force Base, Okla. 

“This is a great part of the job.  I enjoy being in the middle of it all and solving problems,” he said. 

Another Airman who enjoys his job is Senior Airman Randy Walgren, also deployed from Altus. 

“A big impact is the other members of the team -- everyone in the ATOC helps, because we work as a team," he said.  "Being at Ali allows me to be more exposed to all the aspects of my job.” 

Sergeant Lankford agrees. “My home station is a training base and we help train loadmasters with cargo.  Here, we can see how the operation works.  We load cargo and passengers with a purpose. This is real!” 

Getting exposed to all aspects of the job makes it worthwhile to Sergeant Steffers, as well. 

“It’s not uncommon for the same person to check in cargo, build it onto a pallet and then load it on the aircraft," he said.  "Often, these tasks are conducted by different work centers at home.” 

Other differences between operations at Ali and at home are night operations, the occasional dust storms limiting visibility, and the heat.   With temperatures climbing into the low 100s during the day, often the three logistics specialists may “feel the burn” more than at home stations. 

“It seems pretty warm when standing out on the ramp, and when working behind a running C-130, the temperatures double,” Sergeant Steffers said.  “Well, it feels like they do, anyway.” 

Despite those hot temperatures, the three feel very proud to be involved in operations at Ali, especially when considering the eventual impact -- a democratic Iraq. 

“I would like to see everyone with the same benefits as Americans,” said Sergeant Lankford.  

Airman Walgren is much more specific. 

“I am definitely eager to help build a democratic Iraq," he said. "There are too many good people in Iraq striving for help. I see how the people here live and I would never want anyone I know to live like that. I feel everyone has the right to vote and have freedom.” 

With those ideals motivating them, they and other members of the team ensure that equipment and cargo quickly move in and out of the base, despite the heat, dust and darkness.