'Blizzard' of cargo crashes on Charleston

  • Published
  • By Airman Stephanie Hammer
  • 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) --  The workload of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here increased an estimated 250 percent after two APS buildings at Dover Air Force Base, Del., collapsed under snow from a blizzard.

Air Mobility Command officials sent a portion of Dover's cargo here, increasing the average of five to seven trucks coming through the APS each day to more than 70, according to Maj. John Pepin, 437th APS operations officer.

"There's more cargo coming in than going out," said Pepin. "Dover lost two bays, each the size of our one, which means we have three times the amount of cargo that has to be unloaded, palletized and shipped. We simply don't have enough space for that kind of volume. What used to be parking lots are now pallet yards."

Because of the additional cargo, the squadron is now the point of departure for five additional channel missions -- routine missions flown on a set schedule between a stateside base and a forward operating location. With more than 150 people from the squadron already deployed, Pepin said they needed outside aid. More than 90 active-duty and Reserve servicemembers from across the country responded to the cry for help.

"Everyone is very focused," said Senior Airman Bruce Gannon from the 30th Aerial Port Squadron at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. "We're very busy, but we're having a good time and wouldn't have it any other way."

When the roof crashed at Dover, it took a couple of days for the cargo to be rerouted here, said Pepin. As the trucks began rolling in Feb. 21, the cargo began piling up.

"We couldn't build up the cargo as fast as it was coming in," said Staff Sgt. James Donaldson, 437th APS cargo processing shift supervisor. "Without all the augmentees, we wouldn't be able to get the job done."

The increase in cargo coming to the base affects more than just aerial porters, according to Pepin. The 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron airmen work non-stop to unload the trucks as fast as they come to the truck dock. With that many trucks coming through the gates, the 437th Security Forces Squadron airmen provide increased truck searches. The 437th Transportation Squadron workers are keeping all the forklifts and material-handling equipment at the APS on the move, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"This is one of the biggest operations I've seen," said Staff Sgt. Keble Passley from the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron at Warner Robbins AFB, Ga. "It's hectic and fast paced, but we're all working well together."

Forklifts travel through the cargo like mice through a maze. Every available forklift, including those rented from off-base businesses, is in motion, according to Pepin, and what does not ship out on planes piles up in corridors along the flightline.

It will only be a matter of days before the cargo starts leaving the base in commercial aircraft headed for their destinations, said Pepin. Once the cargo starts leaving the base at a steady rate, the squadron will become a "smooth operation" again.

"In order to make this successful, it's going to take a lot of hard work," said Pepin. "We have to stay focused on the fact that many people are relying on us to get the 'stuff' to the fight.

"We've got a good system and good people on board," he said. "I see this as temporary now, but we're ready for the long haul."