Airmen reveals her, "Why" for serving in the Air Force Reserves.

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Jared Becker | U.S Air Force Senior Airman Chanel Carvalho, air transportation specialist with the 48th Aerial Port Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, works with his team to complete physical obstacle course at Port Dawg Challenge, April 23, 2019. The Port Dawg Challenge is Air Force Reserve Command's premier aerial port competition created to promote professionalism, demonstrate global mission capabilities, and help identify best practices to improve wartime readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jared Becker)  

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, GA, UNITED STATES

04.29.2019

Story by Tech. Sgt. Jared Becker 

4th Combat Camera Squadron

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Georgia – “I just want to be an asset to my unit and to my country and to really make an impact through the course of my career and this is just the beginning.”

Senior Airman Chanel Chavalho and her teammates from the 48th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, traveled to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, to participate in the biennial Port Dawg Challenge.

Aerial porters, or “port dawgs,” are instrumental in maintaining the Air Force’s global mobility capabilities and have been moving cargo and passengers on and off aircraft from concrete tarmacs and dusty airstrips since before the Vietnam war. This week-long challenge brings together 26 six-person teams to compete in 13 scored events designed to evaluate airmen’s air expeditionary force skills. From the 10k forklift obstacle course and engine running on/offload to load planning and cargo restraint, each event gives teams a chance to put their job training to the test.

“I think what excites me the most is coming together as a total force. Having active duty, guard and reserve out here and to see everybody have that competitive spirit and give our best effort to be the best that we can be.”

Chavalho values the training and support her command has provided. “They are like my family to me,” she says. “I appreciate the mentorship I received from my senior leaders; it definitely kept my fire burning!”

Performing well in the challenge is her way to give back to her unit and, with her pending deployment getting closer, she’s using this experience as motivation. “My team back home, my unit, my family, everybody cheering us on and supporting us, that’s the biggest thing that keeps me going.”

• Date Taken: 04.29.2019
• Date Posted: 04.30.2019 00:03
• Story ID: 320004
• Location: DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, GA, US