Aerial Port loads cargo, passengers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kevin Tomko
  • 927th ARW
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MICH. --  The 29th Aerial Port Flight is the unit of the 927th Air Refueling Wing tasked with loading and unloading cargo, and manifesting of cargo and passengers. 

Since its inception in 2000, the 29thAPF has risen to the challenges of operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Northern Watch, Southern Watch and other taskings.
“We’ve had numerous challenges and we have now overcome those challenges,” said Tech. Sgt. Rae Lynn Cramer, full-time aerial port technician.
“Those challenges have served to strengthen mission effectiveness and unit cohesiveness,” said Capt. Robert A. Marchese, 29thAPF commander. 

The goal of the 29thAPF is to support other units with the ability to sustain full airport operations, said Master Sgt. Edward B. Viverette, first sergeant. 

The unit is tasked with being prepared for worldwide deployment for Department of Defense transportation requirements within 72 hours of notification.
“Training is of utmost importance to meet this ever increasing need during this era of high tempo operations, thus requiring troops to be prepared for anything anywhere at anytime,” said Captain. Marchese. 

The unit is divided into six sections: Passenger, Special Handling, Cargo, Ramp, Load Planning and Air Terminal Operation Center. 

On any given drill weekend, team members practice various load plans, depending on the type of aircraft being loaded. Each aircraft has its own unique requirements.
The passenger section, also known as PAX, is responsible for the movement of all passengers and their manifests. 

The special handling section is tasked with shipping perishable items such as blood supplies, chemicals, radiological items and human remains. This section also handles hazardous materials. 

The cargo section is responsible for moving all standard, non hazardous items such as vehicles and all palletized materials. 

Loading and off-loading of materials and vehicles is done by the ramp section. They use a vehicle called a K-loader, which is a type of truck with a 25 foot platform on a scissors lift, to move materials in and out of the aircraft. 

When placing items on an aircraft, one cannot place heavy or bulky items just anywhere. This is where the load planning section comes in. Their job is to balance the load in the aircraft for maximum stability. In most cases, computers are used to generate a load plan. Pallets are then numbered and placed in the aircraft according to the plan.
The Air Terminal Operation Center has the job of overseeing all operations of each section. Since the unit’s inception, it has processed approximately 3,000 passengers and 200 tons of cargo on base. 

The 29th APF supports all wing deployments and missions, including humanitarian missions, and Civil Air Patrol, Employer Appreciation Day, and Spouse Appreciation Day flights. The unit is also involved in community activities, such as Habitat for Humanity, Adopt-a-Highway, Veterans Stand Down, and Muscular Dystrophy Association Boatlift.