Reserve Citizen Airmen exercise joint skills with the U.S. Navy and Reserve wingman during a Unit Training Assembly March 1, 2024, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.
Airmen from the 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, joined forces with the Navy Cargo Handling Battalion-11, at Joint Base Charleston, and the 77th Air Refueling Squadron’s KC-46 Pegasus aircrew, from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, to exercise aerial logistics skills from load-planning the new aircraft to processing sister-service equipment for rapid deployment capability.
“It’s exciting to train on the new KC-46, tripling cargo space to 65,000 pounds from the KC-135, and then changing gears to join forces with our naval cargo mission partners, by loading and unloading C-17 rolling stock, all in one weekend,” said Master Sgt. Michael Gwendo, aerial port exercise coordinator, 81st Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base Charleston.
This variety of training opportunities maintains an array of mission flexibility for Airmen to rapidly and efficiently transport combat ready forces as well as humanitarian aid and warfighting cargo.
“The KC-46 is newer, sleeker, and sexier,” said Master Sgt. Brian Greer, KC-46 boom operator, 77ARS.
With 3D cameras, fly by wire technology, computerized touch screens, and advanced countermeasures, the capabilities of the new aircraft brings the 315AW Airmen cutting-edge training ability.
“Partnering with Charleston is the best way to meet our quarterly requirements for all boom operators on the new KC-46 to load actual cargo in the aircraft as opposed to our cargo simulators,” said Greer.
Soon after servicing the KC-46, the 81st APS aerial porters switched over to join forces with the Navy Reserve cargo handlers.
“Training shoulder to shoulder with Charleston Airmen makes our mission possible, by using the C-17 Globemaster III to focus on important cargo skills that link our branches,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Dakota Hillman, yeoman from NCHB-11.
One day, two aircraft, two branches and three reserve units lead to countless training opportunities for Airmen, Sailors and aircrew alike. Bringing the joint force closer to the fight.
“In the future, we can be closer to the fight than ever,” Greer said.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.04.2024 08:29 |
| Story ID: | 465311 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 315AW Airmen, KC-46 Pegasus and Navy Reserves, Join Forces to Train, by TSgt Della Creech, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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