K-2 airmen use innovation to prevent ‘Groundhog Day’

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Davidson
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KARSHI-KHANABAD AIRFIELD, Uzbekistan (AFPN) --  For 25 members of the aerial port flight here, every day would be "Groundhog Day" if they focused only on the day-to-day task of moving passengers and cargo. But for this team from the Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Airlift Wing, the mission is not just loading and unloading aircraft, it is providing precise, efficient and innovative support to combat forces who are fighting the war on terrorism.

"It's not just cargo," said Maj. JoAnn Meacham, 416th Air Expeditionary Group’s aerial port flight commander. "It's people (and) bombs, bullets, blood and any other mission critical supplies you can think of."

With two teams that work around the clock, the Reno Guardsmen allow commanders at all levels the ability to pinpoint the exact location of servicemembers and equipment en route in and around the Operation Enduring Freedom theater.

"It seemed for a while that we were waking up to the same day over and over again. And we were dealing with the same problems every day," Major Meacham said. "It's only been a week since the arrival of my team from Reno, but every day starts fresh with new opportunities and challenges."

Looking at past methods, current demands and future objectives, the flight has improved customer service with a common-sense approach to supporting the warfighter.

The aerial port airmen figuratively and literally cleaned house. They began by searching every nook and cranny to make sure they had the proper supplies and equipment, got rid of unserviceable items, cleaned, dusted and polished.

Challenged by Col. Tim Vining, 416th AEG commander, to exploit the capabilities of the aerial port, Major Meacham is drawing on best practices from current operations and other deployed aerial port flights, and then adapting those practices to meet local demands.

“The aerial port team is setting the example for the total force concept,” said Lt. Col. Karon Uzzell-Baggett, 416th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron commander. “The team overcame the obstacles of adapting to a new location where they were challenged with both passenger and cargo handling, and they maintained our high standards of excellence.”

The airmen began combining all terminal services functions, including the Air Terminal Operations Center, passenger, ramp and cargo services, the personnel flight and related activities into one control center that serves as the “brain” for the K-2 aerial port mission.

They are also incorporating Army cargo and personnel functions to improve the joint service mission.

"We train year-round to be ready for world-wide operations," said Tech. Sgt. Kerri Kuntz, aerial port cargo processor. "We rely on our skills in communication and cooperation to get the mission accomplished. You have to look at every task as an opportunity to do things better."

Major Meacham said she predicts that by ensuring all cargo and passenger processing functions from every branch of military service are working together, they can help commanders conduct full-spectrum operations.

“We have to look ahead,” she said. “We are on the right course, and our approach will have a positive impact on all airlift operations here. It's decidedly not 'Groundhog Day' here anymore.”