Loadmasters keep cargo, passengers moving safely

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Getsy
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  Around the clock, C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft fly from here, airlifting military troops to locations throughout this theater.

Helping passengers and cargo get to their destination safely is the job of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing loadmasters.

Senior Master Sgt. Steven Woodside, the loadmaster superintendent, there are more than 100 loadmasters deployed here from bases around the world.

“The loadmasters are a combination of active duty and Guard,” Sergeant Woodside said. “They are deployed from a wide variety of places, including six stateside bases, Alaska and from as far as Korea and Japan.”

The loadmasters work in crews of two per flight. Loadmaster average a flight every other day.

“On non-combat missions -- like stateside missions -- we normally only fly one loadmaster per flight,” Sergeant Woodside said. “Here we fly two because they have to do more than their normal duties. We also have to constantly scan for surface-to-air threats.”

The loadmasters’ job starts well before the aircraft takes off. On the ground, Sergeant Woodside said loadmasters coordinate with the air terminal operations center to get an idea of the cargo and passengers they will be airlifting. Then they attend various briefings on the mission’s combat environment. Finally they make their way to the aircraft to conduct an extensive pre-flight inspection.

“This is where the loadmasters check to make sure the aircraft and loading equipment is working properly,” Sergeant Woodside said. “We are the last line in the chain to ensure cargo meets all the safety standards and does not exceed the aircraft’s limitations.”

After takeoff, loadmasters turn their attention to passenger’s safety and concerns. They also make sure all the systems remain operational. For many, this is normally the quiet or rest period of the mission. But loadmasters must still be aware of the surroundings over which they fly.

Senior Master Sgt. Dan Wiseley, deployed from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., said this is where the mission differs from a stateside flight. He said flying “over here” allows loadmasters to become more diversified. They have the chance to broaden their skills -- especially combat skills.

“This is my 11th deployment to the area,” Sergeant Wiseley said. “When I first started coming over, it wasn’t unusual to get shot at. Now things seem to have settled down because [my aircraft] hasn’t been shot at yet.”

Once the aircraft touches down, loadmasters are back at work unloading cargo and troops and uploading new passengers and cargo bound for another destination.

“This is when we ensure hazardous cargo is properly prepared and separated, inspect the on-loaded equipment and give safety briefings to the new passengers,” Sergeant Woodside said. “Then we’re off again. It’s like an unending journey. We fly several sorties inside Iraq on each mission.”

The sergeant said, “We go directly into the fight knowing the high risks that are involved so we have a tremendous sense of accomplishment when we can airlift the troops and cargo wherever and whenever needed.

“It makes me glad to be a C-130 loadmaster doing what we do 24-7,” Sergeant Wiseley said.

Although the job may seem monotonous at times, many loadmasters said the reward at the end is well worth it.

“The biggest reward is bringing troops home in one piece,” Sergeant Wiseley said. “The worst part of the job is when we have to bring home ‘angels.’”