Aerial Port airmen make connections

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kay M. Nissen
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Aerial port Airmen do more than connect point A to point B.

They connect military to mission, ally to ally, and present to future.

The Airmen of the 435th Air Mobility Squadron Mobile Aerial Port flight establish contingency airfield operations at any location throughout the European theater and enable U.S. global reach and power projection.

"Our overall mission set includes inspecting, preparing, uploading, downloading cargo and manifesting passengers for movement on US military and CRAF aircraft. Typically, we go out with a two to four personnel team for each mission," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lane, Mobile Aerial Port Supervisor. "Because of our unique mission, we always have to be ready to go in as little as 12 hours. We are all fully qualified, highly efficient, professional Airmen. We are constantly training, both professionally and physically, for any situation that may arise."

The aerial "porters" bring the warfighter to the war by advancing International Security Assistance Force passengers and cargo to the Central Command area of responsibility.

"Over the past year, the Mobile Aerial Port flight has gone on 59 TDY's to 39 different locations, worked with more than 360 aircraft, moved more than 29 thousand passengers and 4.2 thousand tons of cargo," said Lane.

The MAPF consistently builds relationships with international partners by ensuring the safe transport of U.S. allies and their cargo. The port Airmen provide lift and sustainment support while operating in countries like Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Georgia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Albania and Latvia.

"Working with our partner nations provides the opportunity to show them what we do and how we do it," said Capt. Dawn Dumont, 435th AMS executive officer. "It also familiarizes them with our processes, which, in turn, makes future missions with them easier, as they already know what to expect"

MAPF Airmen support and lead the effort for the current conflicts in the area of responsibility while also establishing stability for future endeavors.

"The relationships we build with our Allies now, gives them the confidence to call on us in the future should the need arise," said Dumont. "They know if they need MAPF, not only will the job get done, but it will get done quickly and professionally."