Feature - Team effort ensures 727th AMS Aerial Port conduct successful missions, time after time

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  From helicopters and mail, to hazardous materials and aircraft parts, it's all in a day's work for the men and women in the 727th Air Mobility Squadron Aerial Port Flight. 

Annually about 7,000 aircraft are "touched" by them each year, whether from RAF Mildenhall's fleet or transient aircraft flying in or out of the Central Command Area of Operations, said Master Sgt. Donald Popp, 727th AMS Special Handling Flight superintendent. 

"We also had AMC operations from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, operating out of here for several months while their runway was being repaired," he said. "We moved a massive amount of cargo during that time." 

Sergeant Popp explained that the flight's team of 17 military and 65 Ministry of Defence workers (within the cargo, load planning and ramp sections) provide 24-hour coverage, and they can move cargo any time day or night. 

"We interact with the (100th Air Refueling Wing), providing joint inspections for both them and the 352nd Special Operations Group. Our job then is to inspect cargo and ensure safety of flight issues for both the crew and the plane. That's in addition to providing forklift support and storing cargo in our yard from time to time," he said. 

The special handling section also moves a lot of household goods and special interest cargo, such as hazardous materials, or registered mail. If cargo needs constant surveillance, they're equipped to store it while it awaits transportation to its next location. They also work alongside ramp services and fleet services. 

"It's always a team effort," Sergeant Popp said. "Without that cohesive team of both our military and MoD civilians, the mission here wouldn't be successful." 

The unit played a big part in contributing to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom from May through July by loading and shipping six generators and 31 pallets of support equipment. Two of the generators and 12 pallets, weighing a total of 175 short tons (350,000 pounds) were loaded on two C-17s and one C-5 bound for Kabul, Afghanistan. 

Two generators and 14 pallets, weighing 125.8 short tons (251,600 pounds) went to Camp Victory, Iraq, on two C-5s. The last two generators and five pallets of support equipment, weighing 30 short tons (60,000 pounds) flew to Camp Speicher, Iraq, on two C-17s. 

Ten military and six MoD workers pulled together to help load the huge pieces of equipment onto a 60-ton K-loader, and from there onto the C-5s and C-17s. 

The generators were essential to providing electrical support for the bases if the power went down, and it was a unique cargo movement for the 727th AMS. 

"We worked with different people to find different techniques to load the equipment for Iraq," said Tech. Sgt. Nate Worland, 727th AMS Special Handling NCOIC, who has been stationed at RAF Mildenhall since January 2003. 

"We were loading generators at 3 a.m. Once the K-loader is lined up and winched on, it takes about 45 minutes to get the cargo on the plane. The most time-consuming part is tying it all down with the 25,000-pound chains that are used," he said, explaining that it took two to hold one generator tied to the floor. 

"Being at RAF Mildenhall is unique - you never know what to expect, and it's never the same," Sergeant Worland said. "To be out there, when you actually load cargo and see the plane take off, it's more satisfying than just being out on the flight line."
Sergeant Popp said the section is also equipped to store the cargo while it's awaiting transportation. 

Working around-the-clock operations, the 727th Special Handling Flight's work is never-ending, providing support for "gas 'n' go" flights, escort services for mortuary affairs and assisting transient aircraft. 

According to Sergeant Popp, in June alone the flight handled 579 aircraft. 

John Cotton, ramp supervisor and load planner has seen just about everything come and go here. He's worked as an MoD civilian at RAF Mildenhall for 29 years. 

"There's always something different going on," he said. "We're always loading different things, but I've been here so long it just falls into place." 

Mr. Cotton was one of the people involved in loading the enormous generators sent to Iraq. 

"To me, it was no different than anything else - just a little taller and a little wider," he said. "You just have to make sure it will fit on the plane, but once everything is lined up, it's ready to be winched on. 

"I've loaded everything from planes and helicopters to tanks, but at the end of the day, it's just loading an aeroplane. It's what we do."