Mobility Airman profile: C-17 loadmaster, deployed from Joint Base Charleston, supports combat airlift from Southwest Asia base

Published Feb. 3, 2011
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Deployed with the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, Staff Sgt. Joseph "Joe" Joiner keeps a busy schedule supporting combat airlift missions for operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom and for the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

The 817th EAS, as part of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, uses the C-17 Globemaster III in its airlift mission. The C-17, according to Air Mobility Command officials, "is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area." As a C-17 loadmaster, that's what Sergeant Joiner does on a daily basis while deployed.

Sergeant Joiner's deployed unit also has played a key role to achieving new records for deployed airdrops. In 2010, according to Air Forces Central statistics, the 817th EAS helped support the airdrop delivery of a record 60.4 million pounds of cargo airdropped in Afghanistan.

Also in 2010, the 817th EAS helped move more than 298,000 tons of cargo in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, statistics show. They were also critical to the movement of more than 1.3 million passengers in the USCENTCOM AOR.

According to his official Air Force job description for the 1A2X1 career field, loadmasters like Sergeant Joiner, accomplish loading and off-loading aircraft functions and perform pre-flight and post-flight of aircraft and aircraft systems. They also perform loadmaster aircrew functions, compute weight and balance and other mission specific qualification duties, and provide for safety and comfort of passengers and troops, and security of cargo, mail and baggage during flight.

Loadmasters like Sergeant Joiner, who is deployed from AMC's 16th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., are skilled in a variety of abilities, the job description states. For example, in determining quantity of cargo and passengers or troops to be loaded and proper placement in aircraft, loadmasters compute load and cargo distribution. They also compute weight and balance, and determines the amount of weight to be placed in each compartment or at each station. To do this they consider factors such as fuel load, aircraft structural limits and emergency equipment required.

C-17 loadmasters also accomplish the initial pre-flight of aircraft according to flight manuals. They pre-flight specific aircraft systems such as restraint rail and airdrop equipment. They also pre-flight aerospace ground equipment and apply external power to the aircraft. Additionally, they perform in-flight and special mission specific duties as required.

When supervising aircraft loading and off-loading, loadmasters like Sergeant Joiner ensure cargo and passengers are loaded according to load distribution plan. They direct application of restraint devices such as restraint rails, straps, chains and nets to prevent shifting during flight. They also check cargo, passengers and troops against manifests, ensure availability of fleet service equipment and brief passengers and troops on use of seat belts, facilities and border clearance requirements.

In the deployed environment, loadmasters like Sergeant Joiner are trained to conduct cargo and personnel airdrops according to directives. They are trained to attach extraction parachutes to cargo and platforms and inspect cargo and platforms, extraction systems and connects static lines. They also check tie-downs, parachutes, containers, suspension systems and extraction systems to ensure proper cargo extraction or release.

To do their job while deployed or at home station, loadmasters have to maintain a wide array of mandatory job knowledge, the job description states. They must know the types, capacities and configuration of transport aircraft, emergency equipment and in-flight emergency procedures, personal equipment and oxygen use, communications, current flying directives, interpreting diagrams, loading charts and technical publications, border agency clearance dispensing and preserving food aboard aircraft, and cargo restraint techniques.

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing is the primary tactical airlift hub for re-supply missions supporting coalition operations in Iraq and provides combat service support to land component forces throughout the Persian Gulf Region and Iraq, the 386th AEW Web site shows. The wing is comprised of the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group, 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group, 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 386th Expeditionary Medical Group, and 387th Air Expeditionary Group and includes approximately 2,400 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen.

At his home station with the 16th Airlift Squadron, which is part of the 437th Airlift Wing, Sergeant Joiner supports a mission to "command assigned airlift and supporting units; provide for the airlift of troops and passengers, military equipment, cargo and aeromedical airlift; and to participate in operations involving the airland or airdrop of troops, equipment and supplies when required," according to the Joint Base Charleston Web site.