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Aerial Porters turn real world mission into training opportunity

  • Published
  • By Capt. Wayne Capps
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Ringing in the New Year with a weekend of humanitarian missions turned into a perfect opportunity for Charleston aerial porters to receive some valuable training.

Reservists from the 38th and 81st Aerial Port Squadrons at Joint Base Charleston embarked on a 4-day mission to help deliver humanitarian supplies to countries in Central America and the Caribbean.

"Missions like these are a perfect opportunity for aerial porters to join a C-17 crew, help out and accomplish some important training," said Senior Master Sgt. Brad Levander, senior air reserve technician with the 81st APS. "I felt a sense of pride seeing us help our neighbors."

The training missions consisted of two C-17 Globemaster IIIs along with a group of aerial porters on each jet delivering over 40 tons of humanitarian supplies.

"We trained on loading and offloading pallets, building up pallets and forklift operations," said Tech. Sgt. Troy Hagerman, one of the aerial porters on the mission. But, according to Hagerman, his favorite part of the mission was being able to bring aid to people who were less fortunate.

The group helped deliver school supplies to an orphanage in Haiti, medical and school supplies to Grenada, a fire truck and emergency responder equipment to Managua, Nicaragua and picked up cargo in Panama.

"Being deployed, you see one side of our mission," said Tech. Sgt. Darius Warren from the 81st APS. "Delivering humanitarian supplies you see the another side. It is just a great feeling knowing that we are helping a lot of people."

Delivering supplies to Haiti was the most eye-opening experience for Master Sgt. Randall Pickenpaugh. "It was amazing to me that we were able to bring food and supplies to them, things that we take for granted."

The group was also lucky enough to bring Tech. Sgt. Alvin Casiano along on the mission, who was fluent in Spanish and provided valuable assistance to the crew. Casiano, originally from Puerto Rico, helped with the language barrier the crew encountered in Grenada and Panama.

"It was incredible to come so close to home and help people in need," said Sergeant Casiano.