When the world is your work place

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  As a loadmaster with the 37th Airlift Squadron, Senior Airman Nicholas Cunningham had the rare opportunity to experience cultures around the world within just two years of being in the Air Force, an opportunity many wouldn't be able to experience in a lifetime.

Q: What is your overall job as a loadmaster?

Generally speaking as a loadmaster, we are in charge of anything and everything in the back of a cargo aircraft whether it is patients, passengers, supplies or vehicles. We inspect the cargo pallets before and after a flight. Our last big responsibility is air delivery, basically anything you can fit in a plane we can deliver it.

Q: What are your day-to-day operations at Ramstein Air Base?

A: Everything varies here, unlike if I was stationed somewhere else where their main focus is training we are constantly conducting operational missions. One day I could be required to be in Poland and the next day it could be Afghanistan, there is never a dull moment.

Q: Do you feel like the lack of training puts you at a disadvantage here?

A: No, actually I feel like I am at a huge advantage because I get to actually see first-hand the end result of what I do and the importance of it. For example, when the earthquake hit Turkey a few years ago the United States sent blankets and food and I was able to deliver it. When we arrived a Turkish guy came in with a forklift to receive the supplies and when he finished he got out and gave me a hug. If I was somewhere else, I might have loaded a plane that would eventually get there but that's a little different from actually being there. Nothing can compare to the experience, here, I see the full spectrum of my job.

Q: What would you say to a new loadmaster who hasn't had the opportunity to fully experience the impact of their work?

A: Just wait and see, right now you are training for what you will be able to experience later. Take your time, learn your job and once your time comes you won't regret it.

Q: Did you originally want to be a loadmaster?

A: Before joining the Air Force I knew I wanted to fly so I did my research on anything flying related. I would have taken any flying position but I felt being a loadmaster was the right job for me because I get to actually go to the places and see the impact of the work I am doing.

Q: Flying as much as you do where all have you been?

A: In approximately two years as a loadmaster, I have been to around 34 countries and that's pretty standard in my career field. Basically our area of responsibility is Europe, all of Africa and parts of western Asia and I have buddies who traveled a lot more than I have.

Q: What is the most challenging part of your job?

A: The most challenging part of being a loadmaster, and I think everyone has felt this way at least once, is we are expected from day one to be able to operate on an individual basis without supervision in just about any environment. You arrive to your first base after a year of schooling and you get a few training flights in but once you complete maybe three or four flights you are able to be put on a jet alone. For example if you were sent to Bulgaria where you will have to deal with people who don't speak English things could get complicated.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?