Now boarding: PAX terminal keeps troops moving onward

Published April 29, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Rachel Martinez
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- For troops traveling through Transit Center at Manas, often the first and last faces they see are those of the "port dawgs" working at the passenger terminal.

As the largest flight in the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, the passenger terminal is a focal point for the Transit Center's onward movement mission.

There are three components to service at the passenger terminal: transportation, baggage and front counter.

Anytime an aircraft with passengers lands at the Transit Center, whether it is coming from downrange or the U.S., Airmen are there to meet it and transport the passengers to the in-processing center. These port dawgs are also responsible for delivering immigration papers to the Kyrgyz immigration officials at the international airport in order to properly clear troops for leaving the country.

"We see everybody that comes through - we're the first point of contact when they get here and the last face they see before they head home," said Tech. Sgt. Charles Shupp, 376th ELRS passenger services representative and bus driver, deployed from Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio. "I really like driving the buses and getting to see the smiling faces as troops get on the aircraft to go back home. It's nice to know you are helping to send people home after they've completed their tour."

While troops move onward, passenger terminal Airmen also ensure those troops' baggage moves along with them.

"Because the Transit Center is a passenger movement location, our primary mission is to control inbound and outbound bags," said Staff Sgt. Duane Pace, 376th ELRS baggage yard assistant supervisor, deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md. "A Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine is a valuable tool, but without their gear and equipment, they are not as useful."

Troops heading downrange typically arrive at the Transit Center on commercial aircraft where their baggage is loosely loaded in the cargo department. Baggage must be downloaded from the aircraft, separated based on final downrange destination and palletized for the military aircraft that will transport them there. For troops heading home, the process is reversed - baggage pallets must be broken down and then loaded onto commercial aircraft. Throughout both processes, the Airmen in the baggage yard work hand in hand with customs to ensure all bags meet Transportation Security Administration and military regulations.

The passenger terminal front counter is the true customer service piece of the mission, said Master. Sgt. Matthew Pratt, 376th ELRS Aerial Port superintendent. Typically, troops are already booked on a flight by their service liaison, but the Airmen at the front counter are the ones who ensure troops are manifested and set show times for bag drags, customs processing and lockdown before a flight.

"There are certain things that need to be done prior to an aircraft taking off, such as roll call and lockdown," said Senior Airman Michael James, 376th ELRS passenger services representative, deployed from Yokota Air Base, Japan. "While troops are on lockdown, we verify manifests and provide them with amenities such as restrooms, snacks, water and Wi-Fi before they get on the aircraft."

The atmosphere while in lockdown is noticeably different depending on whether troops are going downrange or headed home, said Pratt.

"Those going downrange are solemn - they're emailing and texting for the last time before they go," said Pratt. "The guys going home are playing music and singing. They just spent six, nine, 12 months downrange and now they're celebrating. It's pretty cool."

Whether it's the beginning or ending of a deployment, nearly every troop in the Afghanistan area of responsibility will go through the Transit Center's passenger terminal. The terminal moves an average of 12,000 to 14,000 passengers and 600 short tons of baggage each week.

"Onward movement is what we're here for," said Pratt. "We are here to expedite the warfighter downrange and get them back home to their families. And we try to do that as efficiently as possible."