69 APS gains new experience at the AFRC Port Dawg Challenge

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  The sun finally pierced the clouds on a rain soaked day when Staff Sgt. Diego Jainez powered on his forklift and began studying the cone-lined course ahead. His forklift carried a plastic pitcher filled with water, balanced on a combination of cement blocks and a wood beam. His goal was to make it through the course without spilling the pitcher of water.

Maneuvering the forklift through a driving course while carrying a pitcher of water was part of many events aimed at testing the skills of aerial port Airmen in the Air Force Reserve Command's inaugural Port Dawg challenge here Oct. 25 - 29.

Sergeant Jainez joined a team of five other Airmen from the 69th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Md., whom were pitted against 23 other Reserve units in the weeklong competition. They faced off in 11 different events ranging from passenger terminal operations to building up pallets. Each of the events simulated real-world scenarios performed by aerial porters at their respective bases and deployed locations.

Tech Sgt. Jamie Watts, 69 APS, was among the six team members from Joint Base Andrews competing at the Port Dawg Challenge. Prior to the event, Sergeant Watts served on a four month deployment to Iraq and carried out duties similar to the events at the competition.

"Our deployments prepared us better for the Port Dawg Challenge, but it was difficult for us all to practice at home because we don't have a live mission," Sergeant Watts said.

Master Sgt. Tim Dickens, 69 APS load planning specialist, served as the team chief for the Port Dawg Challenge. He said the team worked well together at the competition and utilized their individual knowledge to perform strongly in some of the events.

At the start of the competition, Sergeant Dickens said they performed especially well in the C-130 Engines Running On load/Offload (ERO) event. Members from the unit who served on deployments were often required to load and offload cargo from C-130s, which Sergeant Dickens said helped the team here.

"It took extra initiative to be competitive, but we learned a lot to bring back to the unit," Sergeant Dickens said. "Next time we'll be extremely ready," he said.

Maj. Bruce Carper, 69 APS commander, orchestrated the team's attendance at the Port Dawg Challenge. He said the team faced obstacles like a heavy mobilization, hard deployments and tight time constraints, which made it difficult for them to practice.

"I'm thankful that the team stepped up to the challenge and came together. The competition did give them the opportunity to meet other Aerial Port teams in AFRC though and camaraderie is always a nice thing," Major Carper said.

Major Carper said he plans to have the next competition's team travel to places like Dover Air Force Base, Del., and gain more training from other aerial port counterparts.

As for the pitcher of water Sergeant Jainez carried on his forklift through the driving course? Barely a drop was spilled on the flightline.