Mobility Airman profile: C-130 loadmaster, deployed from Dyess AFB, supports combat airlift ops

Published Jan. 5, 2011
By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- When Senior Airman Jason Ignacio goes to work, it's usually up in the stratosphere. However, as a C-130 Hercules loadmaster, Airman Ignacio's deployed role in supporting combat airlift and airdrop missions keeps troops on the ground ready for their work as well.

Airman Ignacio is deployed with the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. He is deployed from the 40th Airlift Squadron, 317th Airlift Group, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The 317th Airlift Group is comprised of the 39th and 40th Airlift Squadrons, 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 317th Maintenance Squadron, 317th Operations Support Squadron and the 317th Maintenance Operations Squadron. The group comes under the operational control of 18th Air Force and Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB.

In his deployed duties, Airman Ignacio supports airlift operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility -- particularly for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. According to his official Air Force job description for the 1A2X1 career field, loadmasters like Airman Ignacio 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 Airman Ignacio 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-130 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 Airman Ignacio 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 Airman Ignacio 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.

In a Jan. 3 news report by 451st AEW Public Affairs, Brig. Gen. Paul Johnson, 451st AEW commander noted the powerful impact the wing's Airmen like Airman Ignacio have on the deployed mission in Afghanistan.

"With their professionalism and dedication, our mission has a powerful effect assisting our ground commanders in the (area of responsibility) where they need it most," General Johnson said in the news report.

"Let there be no doubt that this is a demanding combat environment --- we work hard, long hours and we are challenged -- but the time goes quickly and this deployment is the experience of a lifetime," General Johnson also said in the report. "Done right, our mission will enable the Afghan government to provide internal security with limited international support. We will also disrupt and destroy terrorist networks in Afghanistan, degrading any ability to plan and launch international terrorist attacks."

(Senior Airman Melissa B. White, 451st AEW Public Affairs, contributed to this story.)