Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst --
As the sun disappeared over the horizon, a KC-10 Extender loaded with 12 Airmen, 14 cargo pallets, and 67 passengers departed from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., for Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 25 to deliver its cargo and receive 25 members of the 88th Aerial Port Squadron returning from annual tour training.
The multipurpose mission also satisfied training requirements for members of the flight crew from the 76th Air Refueling Squadron.
Prior to the 8-hour flight, Senior Airman Brian Kelly, 76th ARS boom operator, handled the onloading of more than 27,700 lbs. of cargo to fulfill her cargo handling qualification training required every six months, said Kelly.
"I'm trying to refine my skills and become more comfortable with the onloading and offloading process," said Kelly. "These trips expand my understanding of cargo handling because it's a lot of information to process. I gain more as I participate in these types of missions."
After dropping off cargo, the 76th ARS began the second part of their mission, picking up Airmen from the 88th APS who were at Ramstein AB completing their annual tour requirements. They were training alongside Airmen from the 36th APS out of Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington. Ramstein AB, is home to the busiest aerial port in the Air Force.
The east-west alliance merged with active-duty members of the 721st APS stationed at Ramstein AB to form a coalition of nearly 200 people supporting escalated activity on more than 230 missions, said Senior Master Sgt. Israel Rodriguez, 88th APS superintendent.
The trianing focused on expanding core job skill proficiencies, exposing members to overseas missions, and learning alternative methods to conduct operations, said Rodriguez.
"We have a great relationship with the folks at the 721st," said Rodriguez. "It's mutually beneficial because we provide the manpower they need and they provide great training opportunities."
The team exceeded goals by performing 176 individual tasks, surpassing their original goal by 40. They also moved more than 1,380 tons of cargo, 7,600 passengers, and 4,300 total pieces. Airmen also received additional training on load planning, fleet services, cargo operations and special equipment handling, said Rodriguez.
The mentorship provided by 721st APS civilian and military leadership equipped 88th APS Airmen with the ability to branch out from primary functions and to explore other core tasks they might not regularly perform as reservists, said Rodriguez.
"Integration between the two Reserve units and the active-duty unit was flawless," said Rodriguez. "All parties feel that they gained insight and understanding of one another's roles and positions within the Air Force."
At the culmination of training, Senior Airmen Kevin Bretscher and Justin Poblete were presented with "Best Performer" certificates, recognizing their efforts in working above and beyond their job duties.
"It was a challenging two weeks," said Bretscher. "I'm taking home a lot of valuable new information and experience I can replicate on the job at the home unit."