100th LRS get supplies down-range

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  On March 19, the air terminal operations section taught 13 Team Mildenhall members assigned as increment monitors how to safely and effectively build a pallet prior to it being processed by the cargo deployment function, then transported by air to locations down-range.

"We are part of the diverse processes that help different units to successfully deploy from here," said Master Sgt. Felix Lis-Hurtado, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Air Terminal and Passenger Travel section chief from Cali, Colombia. "We are a small group of Air Transportation Specialists, also known as 2T2s, assigned to the 100th LRS."

The class was two-part. The first part was in the classroom, teaching Airmen about the building process from start to finish. The second was hands-on training, where the students actually built multiple pallet configurations as a team under the careful watch of Lis-Hurtado's team.

"Our mission here is to teach the wing, the 352nd Special Operations Group and the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron about pallet build-up and to offer classes about Hazardous Material Technical Specialists, in order to get them ready to prepare their assets when it's time to deploy on short notice or during exercises," Lis-Hurtado said.

One of the main take aways from the class was that unit augmentees should help reduce the time it takes to palletize a deploying force's equipment, which should reduce problems and time wasted at the cargo deployment function.

"Last year we did our mission with only two 2T2's for most of the year, and that was a challenge, because we not only support our mission here, but we are also tasked to go on TDYs and deployments to support other locations for the U.S. Air Force in Europe and the 727th Air Mobility Support Section missions when it is necessary," Lis-Hurtado said.

The class was primarily focused on building the 463L pallet, but it also put an end to myths and misconceptions about the freight containers commonly used in unit movements, called internal slingable units. The 463L pallet is so-named because it was first used on the fourth month of the year 1963 and is a logistics pallet (L). These are pre-built pallets purchased by the unit itself.

The students also learned that it is important to fill any gaps in the crate with some sort of packing material to restrict cargo movement inside the ISU and to prevent it being damaged during transit. Inspecting the nets for damage and learning to pack heavy, durable items at the bottom of the pallet, and lighter, more fragile items on top also was part of the training.

Weight distribution is also important for safety. Airmen must ensure they weigh cargo accurately, which includes removing any passengers when weighing a vehicle.

"During the CDF operations, we work as a team with the augmentees and the traffic management office personnel to make sure the cargo is prepared correctly and the documentation is in order, this is done to get the cargo ready for the final Joint Inspection that is conducted by the 727th Air Mobility Squadron special handling personnel," Lis-Hurtado said. "This inspection is necessary before we can put the cargo on the aircraft, and in most occasions we are also part of the load team that uploads the cargo."

The instructors taught the students proper documentation methods as well, which included placards, load lists and packing lists required for all cargo. This documentation must be completed prior to the cargo going to the CDF because copies of these forms must be secured to the load.

"By the end of this class, the students will know the proper way to build a pallet and how to prepare their cargo for deployment or exercise," Staff Sgt. Andrew Varjabedian, 100th LRS Air Transportation specialist from Lake Havasu City, Ariz., said on the class he teaches.

The class is vital training for increment monitors. The monitor is to stay with a pallet until it is released by CDF personnel. If the pallet is not loaded correctly or does not have the proper documentation, the unit may need to start again by rebuilding the pallet, possibly delaying aircraft departures and jeopardizing the entire deployment operation.

With limited Air Force manning, time is precious, so the increment monitor's role is vital to getting the supplies to where they are needed on time. 'I did not see it being loaded,' is not an excuse for a monitor. Lis-Hurtado's team teaches them to watch each pallet to see it is loaded correctly before it leaves their unit.

For more information on the training taught by the 100th LRS, contact the Air Terminal Operations personnel at DSN: 238-4648 or 238-4649.