20th LRS Airmen ensure Weasel readiness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Destinee Sweeney
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The sun slowly rises over a quiet segment of flightline at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. Sun shades, used to house F-16CM Fighting Falcons, seem especially lonely without the usual buzz of busy maintainers working hard underneath.

On the same patch of concrete, air transportation specialists work alongside their 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron peers. The absent maintainers are going to need supplies if they intend to accomplish their mission while deployed.

When the 20th Fighter Wing needs to move resources, 20th LRS Airmen come together to set Shaw Weasels up for success.

“If we don’t get cargo or people on time, the planes aren’t going to take off and that’s going to impact what needs to be done downrange,” said 1st Lt. Joseph Grant, 20th LRS installation deployment officer. “For the air tasking order that needs to be completed, it’s imperative to have all elements supporting the pilots getting off the ground.”

Grant’s office coordinates with the deploying units and small air terminals, ensuring both cargo and passengers are prepared and leave and arrive on time. Working with unit deployment managers, Grant ensures individuals are accounted for and medically qualified to deploy.

While a unit is deploying, the IDO employs air transportation specialists to assist in the physical movement of cargo.

Air transportation specialists, also known as “Port Dawgs,” are responsible for managing cargo and passengers safely and quickly. Port Dawgs use specialized loading equipment as well as determine logistics for what type and how much cargo can be loaded onto an allotted mobility aircraft.

Specialists also maintain necessary safety and security precautions while assisting deploying units; however, they do not accomplish their mission alone.

By using teamwork and employing Airmen from across their squadron as augmentees, the small air terminal crew can expand their capabilities.

“Teamwork is one of the biggest factors (for mission success) other than actually having equipment,” said Senior Airman Amanda Fennelly, 20th LRS Port Dawg. “If you don’t trust or you can’t depend on your augmentees or coworkers, then the mission won’t get done.”

Airmen assigned to other shops in the 20th LRS receive cargo deployment function training from the transportation specialists, learning how to build cargo pallets and how to perform inspections to ensure airworthy cargo.

Prior to physically loading the cargo, the air transportation team takes steps to ensure a smooth transition of equipment and stay one step ahead.

“Throughout the year we’ve been offering to go out to units and look at their cargo so we can make sure it’s already built up for the air expeditionary force and they know how to fix it and how to prepare it,” said Fennelly.

Grant said without the cargo the 20th LRS moves, the deployed maintainers will not have what they need to ensure the aircraft get off the ground.

“If there’s any delay here it’s going to affect what happens downrange and that can be extremely imperative for the safety of pilots as well as making sure the planes take off and can execute the mission,” said Grant.

The 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron provides support for both the Air Force and Army during deployments and exercises.

Maintaining rapid Weasel readiness requires the proper Airmen and equipment be employed at a deployed location on schedule. By facilitating the movement of necessary resources, 20th LRS Airmen provide the means by which the 20th Fighter Wing can continue to provide F-16 airpower.