Personnel ensure deployment success

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Cammie Quinn
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Sitting on the flightline at Hangar 949 are seemingly endless pallets of cargo, destined to accompany their owners in support of upcoming deployments.

Before Airmen load cargo on an aircraft like puzzle pieces, it must endure the scrutiny of Misawa Air Base's cargo deployment function- a process which makes sure the packaged product complies with regulations.

During this process, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen and augmentees prepare cargo pallets in support of base deployments.

"We receive the cargo from the deploying units," said Capt. Heather McDaniel, 35th LRS installation deployment officer. "They build their cargo, pack it onto pallets, and drop it off with us to be inspected and loaded."

The 35th LRS conducts training for deploying squadrons, enabling deployers to make their own cargo pallets air worthy, said Captain McDaniel.

"I'm not an expert at turning wrenches on a plane, so I don't expect anyone else to be an expert at packaging pallets," she added. "That's where our shop comes in. We inspect, and if necessary, correct the job."

A four-step process is initiated once bags start to arrive to the hangar. The cargo is in-checked, cleared and marshaled into the holding area in a loading position- that is, the order the cargo is loaded onto the aircraft.

"The final step is an approval by the joint inspectors," said Captain McDaniel. "Once the inspectors declare the cargo good-to-go, it can be loaded."

The CDF supports all Misawa AB deployments, said 1st Lt. Padraic Meehan, 35th LRS IDO assistant.

"Misawa's fighter squadrons and maintenance communities are our largest customers," Lieutenant Meehan added. "They have a lot of accompanying parts, to include supply, intelligence and airfield specialists."

Regardless of the amount of personnel and accompanying cargo, Captain McDaniel said the true test is whether or not the cargo is loaded and the aircraft takes off on-time.

"The folks on the CDF do an amazing job," she said. "If you put a plane on our tarmac, we will get cargo on it, and the plane will take off on time."