News>Training has Loggies and Port Dawgs seeing purple
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Staff Sgt. Zack Prejean, 41st Aerial Port Squadron, adjusts the ratchet strap on a cargo box while Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class David Goerk operates the forklift. Goerk is from Naval Cargo Handling Battalion in North Charleston, S.C. Members of Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 of the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, joined the 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and 41st APS to conduct a joint training exercise at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Apr. 12-17. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Petty Officer 1st Class Ruiz Wheeler and Staff Sgt. Zack Prejean, 41st Aerial Port Squadron, unload cargo during a joint training exercise at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Apr. 12-17. Wheeler, assigned to Naval Cargo Handling Battalion 12 in Ft. Worth,Texas and other members of Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 of the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, joined the 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and 41st APS to learn from each other during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Tech. Sgt. Alex Cruz, 41st Aerial Port Squadron, oversees Electricians Mate 1st Class Gilberto Alvarez as he directs the forklift operator during a joint training exercise Apr. 14. Alaverez is assigned to Naval Cargo Handling Battalion 12 in Ft. Worth, Texas. He and other members of Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 of the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, joined the 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and 41st APS to conduct training as part of the exercise Apr. 12-17. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Senior Airman Sara House and Airman 1st Class Martin Guthrie measure the clearance height of a vehicle for load planning. House and Guthrie are members of the 41st Aerial Port Squadron and were conducting training Apr. 14 as part of a joint training exercise between the 41st APS, the 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, and the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 held at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Staff Sgt. Michael McPherson, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, briefs Capt. Joseph Wilson, 403rd LRS, and members of Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 of the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, about safety precautions that need to be taken when handling liquid oxygen. The 403rd LRS and 41st Aerial Port Squadron shared job knowledge with NELR 4 as part of a joint training exercise Apr. 12-17 at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Staff Sgt. Michael McPherson, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, monitors the transfer of liquid oxygen from the storage tank to a LOX cart during a training module Apr. 14. The 403rd LRS and 41st Aerial Port Squadron shared job knowledge with Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 battalions as part of a joint training exercise Apr. 12-17 at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Staff Sgt. Michael McPherson and Tech. Sgt. Leren Curry, members of the 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, take a sample of liquid oxygen from a LOX cart, in order to check for impurities, during a training module Apr. 14. The 403rd LRS and 41st Aerial Port Squadron shared job knowledge with Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 battalions as part of a joint training exercise Apr. 12-17 at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Tech. Sgt. Leren Curry, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, explains the process of checking a sample of liquid oxygen for impurities to RearAdm. Mark Belton and Capt. Mark Ghirardi. Belton is the commander of the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Group and Ghirardi is the commodore of Naval Expeditionary Regiment 4. Sailors from Belton's Group and Airmen of the 403rd LRS and 41st Aerial Port Squadron shared job knowledge as part of a joint training exercise Apr. 12-17 at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Tech. Sgt. Leren Curry,403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, holds a sample of liquid oxygen taken from a LOX cart during a training module Apr. 14. Curry took the sample in order to check for impurities within the liquid oxygen. The 403rd LRS and 41st Aerial Port Squadron shared job knowledge with Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 battalions as part of a joint training exercise Apr. 12-17 at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Senior Airman Christi Hilton, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, prepares a sample of JP-8 fuel for inspection during a training module Apr. 14. The 403rd LRS and 41st Aerial Port Squadron shared job knowledge with Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 battalions as part of a joint training exercise Apr. 12-17 at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
Senior Airman Christi Hilton, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, pours a sample of JP-8 fuel into a large beaker in order to inspect the sample for impurities during a training module Apr. 14. The 403rd LRS and 41st Aerial Port Squadron shared job knowledge with Naval Expeditionary Logistics Regiment 4 battalions as part of a joint training exercise Apr. 12-17 at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Heather Newcomb)
by Master Sgt. Michael Duhe
403rd Wing Public Affairs
4/18/2012 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- April's Unit Training Assembly was atypical for members of the 403rd Wing as they combined job knowledge and skill with their U.S. Navy counterparts.
The 403rd's Logistics Readiness and Aerial Port squadrons were given the unique opportunity to host members of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group's south-central battalion during a six-day training exercise.
According to Maj. Rodney McCraine, 403rd LRS commander, the exercise focused on fuels and air transportation training. It also "created opportunities for joint, logistics-focused training," he said.
The Navy Reservists came to the 403rd Wing from units in Gulfport, Miss.; Fort Worth, Texas; Springfield, Mo.; Atlanta, Ga.; Tinker AFB, Okla.; and Jacksonville, Fla.
"Training in a joint environment is a good idea because that's how the nature of the U.S. military's mission is going," said Senior Chief Shaun Bowles, Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 13 member and a supervisor for the exercise. "When you go into a theater of operations, you're going to see the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army all working together so it makes sense to train together here."
Training throughout the exercise was held in sessions specifically designed to encourage Airmen and Seamen of like-minded career fields to work together on improving their skills.
"I thought the training went great," said Senior Master Sgt. Edrick Haynes, 41st APS air transportation superintendent. Haynes, along with additional 41st APS airmen, teamed with 20 of their Navy counterparts to upload trucks, move cargo pallets and practice loading pallets onto aircraft; a highline dock simulated an aircraft's cargo loading area.
As a trainer for the session, Haynes began the morning with classroom instruction before heading outside to operate the equipment. "Everyone was involved and did a great job," he said. "There was a good sense of teamwork."
Lt. Col. Mike Grubb, 41st APS commander, was on hand to witness the joint training between his Port Dawgs and their Navy counterparts. "We're hoping this leads to more training and communication with the Seabees in Gulfport," he said. "That would allow our guys to train with equipment we don't have here."
The experience with equipment goes both ways between the services.
"I've driven a forklift before, but I'm getting more experience on this type of equipment," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Roger Ramos, NCHB 13 logistics specialist. "This joint training is great because it's a chance to learn.
"I've never worked with the Air Force before; they're very hands-on," he said. "They give us good advice and we share what we know as well."
Overall, the training proved to be a good experience for those involved.
"Anytime you get joint programs working, you get different ways of doing business and that leads to good things happening," said Grubb. "I've spoken with several of our Airmen and they said they've enjoyed getting out here with people who talk a different language. I really appreciate the Navy coming out and working with our folks."
