"Top Dawg"

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danielle Campbell
  • Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  A C-130 Hercules roared in the wind to the far left of the flight line; A C-5 was to the far right. In between were hundreds of Air Force Reserve Command personnel, mostly aerial porters. The atmosphere smelled of overcooked barbeque. Ear plugs diffused the deep vibrations only to softly tickle the eardrums of all participants.

The Port Dawgs peered out through their goggles as they dipped and dodged obstacles throughout the flight line. Their trucks zigzagged in and out as they fought to stay on course.

On the carriage of their fork-lifts were several hundred pounds of cargo stacked almost five feet high.

The pallets were weighed and balanced for air worthiness then tied down with special securing techniques before they were strategically loaded on planes that cornered the flight line.

The competition was on!

The first Air Force Reserve Command Port Dawg Challenge (PDC) took place at Dobbins Air Reserve Base Oct. 25-29. Twenty-two Aerial Port Squadrons (APS) from the command competed in 11 events designed to test their aerial port proficiency.

The five-day contest provided an opportunity for the aerial port units to generate esprit de corps. The organizers focused on promoting professionalism, practicing mission capabilities and improving wartime results.

"We also came here to show off our community and to have a good time," said Col. Cathleen Bullard, PDC commander. "This event is the inaugural challenge."

This historical event enabled all of the units across the command to directly compete against each other.

"For the first time, we have representation from all the Numbered Air Forces", said Master Sgt. Jason Cook, PDC project officer.

Aerial port staff took elements from the Air Mobility Command's Rodeo and tailored a challenging competition specifically for Citizen Airmen.

Team members enjoyed the grueling tests - as they enhanced their skills for real-world deployment and enjoyed friendly interaction from their fellow aeroporters.

On the final day of the competition, all the squadrons filed into the hangar, much like they did on day one during the opening ceremony.

Eleven team awards for individual events were presented while the "top dawg award" remained at center stage.

The bronze bulldog sat on a platform, looming over the quieted teams nervous and wondering who performed the best, scored the most points - the 'top dawg' of the Reserve Command aeroporters.

The echo of the room quieted just before the overall champions were announced.

"Let's look at my secret paper," Colonel Bullard said. "....the 27th Aerial Port Squadron!" Her next words quickly evaporated into the air as the 27th APS jumped to their feet, hugged and high-fived one another. Tears of joy and pride were shed.

Each unit was proud of the hard work they accomplished. They knew they at the end of the day, they all were on the same team.  But for this year's competition, the 27th APS can stand among the pack as the 'top dawg.'



The following Air Force Reserve Command aerial port squadrons participated in the Port Dawg Challenge:

25th APS, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
26th APS, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
27th APS, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, Minn.
30th APS, Niagara Falls IAP ARS, N.Y.
32nd APS, Pittsburgh IAP ARS, Pa.
35th APS, Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J.
36th APS, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
38th APS, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
39th APS, Peterson AFB, Colo.
41st APS, Keesler AFB, Miss.
42nd APS, Westover ARB, Mass.
48th APS, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
67th APS, Hill AFB, Utah
69th APS, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
70th APS, Homestead ARB, Fla.
71st APS, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
72nd APS, Tinker AFB, Okla.
80th APS, Dobbins ARB
81st APS, Joint Base Charleston
88th APS, Joint Base Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst
94th APS, Robins AFB
96th APS, Little Rock AFB, Ark.