Aerial port competition wraps up, Minneapolis takes top prize

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Joe Simms
  • 22nd Air Force Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, GA --  The inaugural 22 Air Force Aerial Port ROUNDUP, hosted by Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., wrapped up March 15 after three days of competition pitting 18 aerial port squadrons against each other to find the most proficient unit.

Each five-member team competed in six events including engine running on/off load, joint inspection, in-transit visibility, and material handling equipment. A Fit to Fight and Airman's Manual trivia competition were also part of the event.

Overall team winner 27th Aerial Port Squadron from 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis Air Reserve Base, Minn., was presented with a bucking bronco trophy and each member was awarded their own set of spurs. The unit also won the in-transit visibility event.

"This team gelled so well and gave 110 percent every time" said team leader Staff Sgt. Matthew Russell.

In addition to Sergeant Russell, the 27th APS team consisted of Staff Sgts. Jesse Werner and Justin Melroy, Master Sgt. Damion Kosmosky and Senior Airman Troy Olsen. This group of traditional reservists practiced since November during unit training assemblies and additional weekends to prepare for the competition. Four of the five members will deploy to Southwest Asia in the coming months.

The individual event winners were presented an engraved belt buckle during the closing ceremonies and include 30th APS, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y., in the material handling equipment event; 32nd APS, Pittsburgh ARB, Pa., in joint inspection; 96th APS, Little Rock AFB, Ark., in engine running off/on load; 41st APS Keesler AFB, Ms., won the Fit to Fight competition and 39th APS Peterson AFB, Colo., won the Airman's Manual trivia competition.

The Reserve aerial port squadrons have a long history of participating in aerial port competitions dating back three decades. Many of these competitions, including the long-standing Air Mobility Command Rodeo, incorporated aerial port squadrons with flight crews, maintenance squadrons, and other organizations involved with flying operations. The planners for the ROUNDUP used the AMC rodeo as a template for the competitions held here. Twenty second AF members plan to host the ROUNDUP again next year with subsequent competitions being held every other year.

Some cutting-edge equipment made its debut at the ROUNDUP. The material handling equipment event brought in the next generation of the Halverson Loader. The strategic loader logged six hours of time prior to the events and still had the new-loader smell, said Senior Master Sgt. Fred Proctor, ROUNDUP project officer.

A weekend highlight was the excitement and enthusiasm of the young aerial porters after their first engine running off load exercise, said Sergeant Proctor. Aerial port squadrons train for EROs on static displays, which is very different from the conditions experienced here.

"Nothing can prepare you for the prop blast, the sound of the engines running and the aircraft shaking while you are securing the cargo," said Sergeant Proctor. "There is an immediate rush of adrenaline and your heart is pounding 100 mph and you make that turn straight to the back of the C-130"

It was a thrill for those putting in the long hours planning this event to witness Airmen completing their first ERO, cheering and high fiving as they left the ramp.

In addition to the port dawgs, Reservists from 22nd AF APSs and others sacrificed their weekends to serve as umpires, support staff and manning of the ROUNDUP Control Center.

The 908th Services Squadron from Maxwell AFB, Ala., and members of the 22nd set up a Single Pallet Expeditionary Kitchen to provide meals for the competitors and staff. They used this opportunity to prepare for an exercise in April and their operational readiness inspection in December. Lt. Col. John Hayes 22nd AF services director, ensured meals were available for the 200 people attending the weekend.

The ROUNDUP gave aerial port and services squadrons an opportunity to refine their skills while preparing for future operations and exercises.