Instructors visit Scott to host course on aerial port operations

Published Nov. 19, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Clayton Lenhardt
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- For more than eight hours a day, three instructors from the 423rd Mobility Training Squadron based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, taught the Management of Aerial Port Operations Course here, Nov. 3-14.

An aerial port is the area where cargo or passengers are loaded or unloaded from an aircraft. The 10-day course is designed to enhance the capabilities of 23 air transportation Airmen, from technical sergeants through lieutenant colonel, assigned to Air Mobility Command.

"You're talking about the individuals who basically run our command operationally and policy wise," said Master Sgt. Collin Skinner, 423rd MTS NCOIC of formal schools. "Unfortunately when people are on a controlled tour, [for example working at the command level], they become somewhat removed from the regular daily aerial port management and operations roles."

The course starts by teaching a refresher of everyday operations of an aerial port for those who have been out of the career field and then shifts to broader issues such as budgets, manpower and command structure.

"This particular class gives a lot of individuals ... the perspective and understanding of what managers are going through in the operational world," said Skinner. "Now, when they're executing their portion of the mission, they can empathize a little bit and understand who they are dealing with on the other end of the phone or computer."

By sending mobile training teams out, the 423rd MTS saves bases and major commands additional money by not sending individuals to a training center.

"These ports still get that training but don't have to come out of pocket in large amounts," said Skinner. "But as a whole the command actually saves money in getting more people trained for less dollars."

One student, Master Sgt. Shannon Wells, AMC NCOIC of transportation systems and data management, arrived at Scott in June of this year and said the course is helping him get back into the Air Transportation (2T2) career field.

"I started doing first sergeant duties back in 2010," said Wells. "So I've been away and I don't remember this stuff. I need to bring the 2T2 in me out again."

Wells says having the instructors come to the base gives him less to worry about, rather than having to go TDY for the training.

"You go TDY, you always have to worry about what's going on at home," said Wells. "Being here, you've got three instructors paying attention to you, so it makes the class easier. I can go home at night and help my wife with whatever because she's active duty too."

By traveling to the Airmen, the 423rd MTS is able to give its people the knowledge and training necessary to complete the mission.

"As I go into the review questions, yeah I remember this," said Wells. "It's deep down in there, I just have to dig and go get it."

Skinner feels his job as an instructor and the training the 423rd MTS conducts is very important, even in times of fiscal constraints.

"I believe in what we do," said Skinner. "Each Airman is becoming more important as an individual ... and there will be a time where we're called upon again and the initial brunt is born by those shoulders. They need to be as prepared as possible to carry that burden when the time comes."