Ukrainian and Californian Military Share Logistical Training at Rapid Trident 2017

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jeffery Sandstrum | Rapid Trident 2017 at Starokonstantinov Air Base, Ukraine offers hands-on training for Ukrainian Armed Forces aircrew, who are becoming familiarized with logistical preparation procedures for transport on aircraft like the C-130 J Super Hercules from southern California's 146th Airlift Wing. These training opportunities are leading up to Rapid Trident’s Exercise conclusion, which will highlight airdrops of supplies and personnel to ground troops in the exercise’s western region.(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Sandstrum)  

UKRAINE

09.15.2017

Story by Maj. Kimberly Holman 

146 Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard

Located in the heart of the fertile, gently rolling landscape that makes up much of western Ukraine sits the small village of Starokonstantinov.
This week, amidst fields of sunflowers and scarecrows which line the runway, a massive C-130 J Super Hercules has been parked and has made the air base located in this village its home, the setting of the first-ever airlift operations training to taking place as part of Rapid Trident Exercise 2017.
The California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing landed at Starokonstantinov Air Base as the guests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and launched the Rapid Trident Exercise with hands-on training for all military members there who need to become familiarized with logistical preparation procedures for transport on aircraft like the C-130J.
Members of the 146th AW’s Logistical Readiness Squadron began with a morning of classroom training and then took the Ukrainians out to the aircraft to acquaint them with the various tools and equipment used.
“We are showing them what it takes to move their tools and equipment on U.S. Air Force and other NATO aircraft; that is what this training is all about,” said Chief Master Sgt. Ray Robles, Superintendent of the 146AW LRS.
Soldiers were shown how to load cargo for transport onto the pallets which were then covered and tied with netting and straps before being loaded by a forklift onto the back of the aircraft. Demonstrations of vehicle transportation and preparation were included as well, driving a military vehicle onto the aircraft, and then securing it properly with chains.
“I have learned how they work and what their process is,” Robles explained. Comparing and discussing methods and best practices brings unexpected and valuable insight to the training for everyone in ways no one could have predicted, he said.
“In my 26 years in the Air Guard I have never had an experience like this. I have definitely learned a lot from them and I hope they have learned from us as well,” said Robles.
Cargo was loaded and unloaded numerous times, allowing all of the Ukrainians to take part in the training. Onload and offload training was also done with engines running, known as ERO (engine running onload/offload), in order to demonstrate the importance of hand signal communication in a very noisy environment where voices cannot be heard.
These training opportunities are leading up to Rapid Trident’s Exercise conclusion, which will highlight airdrops of supplies and personnel to ground troops in the exercise’s western region as well as Aeromedical Evacuation training and flights.

• Date Taken: 09.15.2017
• Date Posted: 09.18.2017 09:46
• Story ID: 248665
• Location: UA