MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — Before an aircraft ever lifts off the runway, the mission begins on the ground with Airmen who measure, calculate, build and secure cargo with precision. Their work determines whether an aircraft is loaded safely, balanced correctly and capable of delivering airpower across the globe.
At March Air Reserve Base, that responsibility belongs to the Air Transportation specialists assigned to the 452nd Aerial Port Squadron, better known throughout the Air Force as the “Port Dawgs.”
From building cargo pallets to operating material handling equipment and coordinating aircraft load plans, aerial port Airmen are a critical force behind every airlift mission. Their job is simple to describe but difficult to execute: move the mission.
Tech. Sgt. Jess Dureza, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the load planning section, is responsible for ensuring cargo loads meet aircraft limitations and mission requirements. His work requires a sharp understanding of logistics and constant attention to detail, as even minor errors can impact aircraft performance and mission execution.
“We are the link between the aircraft and the mission,” Dureza said. “Everything we do supports the airlift mission. If we don’t get it right, the mission doesn’t move.”
Dureza joined the Air Force 16 years ago and has served in the Air Force Reserve for the past 10 years. Over the course of his career, he has witnessed how aerial port operations directly influence mission success, whether supporting contingency operations, sustaining global logistics or enabling humanitarian response.
Aerial port Airmen operate in an environment where timelines are tight and cargo is rarely routine. Each mission can involve different equipment, different requirements and different aircraft. Load planners must account for weight distribution, tiedown procedures and cargo compatibility while coordinating with aircrew members and mission partners.
The work often happens quickly, but it is never rushed.
“We have to be exact,” Dureza said. “There’s no guessing. You have to know what you’re doing, and you have to be able to adjust when things change.”
For Dureza, one mission stands out above the rest — a moment that still reminds him how far-reaching the air transportation career field can be.
Dureza recalled supporting the movement of the Mars Rover, which originated from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The rover was prepared for transport and airlifted as part of its journey toward launch. Today, that same rover remains on Mars, contributing to one of the most historic scientific missions of the modern era.
“It’s not every day you can say you were part of something that ended up on another planet,” he said. “That mission really put into perspective how big the impact of our job can be.”
While the Mars Rover mission is unforgettable, Dureza emphasized that aerial port Airmen are constantly supporting operations with real-world impact. From routine airlift movements to large-scale mission support, the squadron’s work helps ensure the Air Force remains ready to respond anytime, anywhere.
Dureza said the most important trait for success in air transportation is the ability to think like a logistician and remain calm under pressure.
“To be successful in this field would be to be logistics minded,” he said. “To be able to think quickly, answer any issues that arise, and come up with solutions.”
That mindset is exactly what defines Port Dawgs. Their work requires physical endurance, technical skill and the discipline to follow strict safety standards. Whether they are preparing cargo for movement or ensuring aircraft loads are properly configured, they provide a capability the Air Force cannot operate without.
At March Air Reserve Base, the 452nd Aerial Port Squadron continues to serve as a cornerstone of global mobility. Their mission ensures aircraft launch ready, cargo arrives secure and the Air Force maintains its ability to project power and deliver aid around the world.
“People see the planes take off,” Dureza said. “But they don’t always see the work it takes to get them in the air.”
For the Port Dawgs of March ARB, that work is more than a job — it is mission assurance. Whether supporting operations across the globe or helping move equipment that contributes to history, they remain a vital part of the Air Force’s ability to deliver.
Because every mission — from March to Mars — starts at the port.