JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — The blinking lights of a C-130 Hercules from the Wyoming Air National Guard were small as the first stars as it approached Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Oahu, Hawaii, Jan. 10.
A windless calm in the night did not disturb the nearby palm trees, but the thrumming of four turboprop engines grew deafening as an air transportation team approached the parked C-130 Hercules steaming on the flight line.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Taylor Hazen was the chalker, responsible for directing the load team and machine operators unloading the cargo from the aircraft.
“I used to be that person who sits back, doesn’t really say anything,” Hazen said. “But when you’re out there on the flight line, trying to get a baggage pallet down, you can’t just sit back and let somebody else make the decisions.”
The rear cargo door of the C-130 Hercules whined and hissed as it opened. Inside the bay of the aircraft were cargo loads towering to the overhead, all strapped and cinched down as they traveled 3,300 miles to Oahu, Hawaii.
The Wyoming Air National Guard had come for Sentry Aloha 26-1, the latest iteration of Sentry Aloha, a recurring, large-scale training exercise. From approximately Jan. 14-28, Sentry Aloha 26-1 involves approximately 1,000 personnel and more than 40 aircraft from seven states, enhancing readiness, interoperability and integration across U.S. and partner air forces.
Hazen signaled as the tines of the forklift slid into the pallet at the bottom of a cargo load. It lifted from the floor of the bay and, as the forklift reversed, moved into the balmy night air.
The air transportation team placed dunnage on the flight line. Hazen used hand signals to help the forklift operator carefully set the cargo load down on it. They began to break down the pallet, undoing straps and hoisting the luggage onto the bed of a truck. They drove to the hangar.
“Small stuff actually makes a huge difference with this job,” Hazen said. “You need to have proper tie-downs, straps and nets. Pallets need to be positioned and oriented correctly. There’s center of gravity calculations. So much goes into making sure the cargo and passengers get to their destination safe and sound.”
From food and medical supplies to helicopters and ground vehicles, the air transportation team is responsible for securely managing cargo, passengers and ensuring forward locations and bases get the resources they need.
They are also responsible for parachute rigging cargo loads during air drops to forward locations. The Wyoming Air National Guard will be doing a lot of these exercises during Sentry Aloha.
“In this job, you can get so many certifications that can be used in your civilian career,” Hazen said. “There’s Airdrop Parachute Rigger Certification, Hazardous Materials Certification, Material Handling Equipment Operator Certifications, so many more. You can get your commercial driver’s license if you want.”
More C-130 Hercules aircraft touched down in Oahu, Hawaii, for Sentry Aloha. Sunlight glinted against the sharp edges of the aircraft on the flight line. The mission comes to a halt if Hazen and the rest of her team does not perform their jobs with effectiveness and operational excellence.
“For me, I love the hustle and bustle, so I don't mind the pressure,” Hazen said. “I'd rather the pressure of, figure it out, get it done, make it happen. It's the slow pace that I can't stand. I thrive in that. Just go, go, go attitude and get it done.”