Photo By Tech. Sgt. Timothy Gallagher | A bag donning patches of the different units Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Broughman,...... read more read more
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Three decades ago, when an 18-year-old young man joined the Air Force with dreams of being a machinist, he like many other civilians, was nervous from not knowing what to expect as he entered the basic training grounds.
As he trembled at the voice and sight of his military training instructor, nothing petrified him more than the fear of the unknown – finding out his job.
As he marched en route to see what jobs were available, he shuddered at the figure walking out the job processing door.
“What career field are you interested in, kid?” said the bypassing colonel.
In the moment of being scared and wanting to satisfy the gentleman with a detailed reply, he thought of a loadmaster he met and his favorite military cadence – C-130 rolling down the strip.
“A C-130 loadmaster, Sir,” said the young man, who in reality knew nothing about the trade.
Little did Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Broughman, 347th Rescue Group superintendent, know that this short conversation would lead him to begin a 30-year journey as a C-130 loadmaster.
“I love being a loadmaster and the impact that we provide in tactical airlifts,” said Broughman, who was qualified on six C-130 variations. “The responsibility of loading aircraft is great, but the term “loadmaster” doesn’t fully [encompass] the trade. We’re involved with every moving part on the aircraft and the ground location to control the aerial port function. We act as mission coordinators, schedulers, load planners and are relied on as a contingency response element.
“While controlling ground operations is a huge component, air mobility and the ability to perform airdrops is the most thrilling part of the career for me,” Broughman added. “The C-130 air frame is a great platform to reach the world. Its versatility is unmatched as an air lifter and [the newer models] Combat Search and Rescue contributions. On this airframe, I’ve been able to load tanks, humvees, boats and Special Forces teams to act as a closed fist, striking hand on our adversaries, and I’ve also contributed to being the open hand that delivers, food, water and first aid.”
For Broughman, aiding in humanitarian relief efforts is the biggest reward of his job.
“There’s no feeling like being the eyes and the face of your country all across the globe,” said Broughman. “When you give aid for humanitarian relief efforts, the people you support don’t see the name on your uniform, they see you as an American. The chance to represent your nation in a positive way on such a large scale is something very few people can do, and I’m proud to have done it.”
Broughman attributes this pride to many great memories along his countless missions. One instance that stood out occurred when he supported tactical airlift efforts throughout a humanitarian relief effort after a chaplain’s prayer before a flight.
After he and his comrades received the blessing, the chaplain held up a thank you note written in Croatian. The gratification from a complete stranger in a foreign land was a moving moment for Broughman, one that symbolized the sacrifices he made and would continue to make.
Among the many challenges, the toughest one was wanting to leave the career field he had grown to love to pursue higher education.
After having his first-born child with his wife, he decided to not only extended his immediate family, but also his Air Force family, as he embarked on a journey to more than 10 bases as a loadmaster, formal training and technical training instructor, which prepared him to encounter his ultimate test – becoming Moody’s 71st Rescue Squadron chief enlisted manager and 347th RQG superintendent.
“During the early years of my career, I was always on the go for short tours and deployments,” said Broughman. “The opportunity to be an instructor allowed me to expand my responsibilities and become a professional developer of Airmen. The students I led demanded a lot and I embraced the task and appreciate them for pushing me every day.
“When I came to Moody as a [71st RQS] chief enlisted manager and [347th RQG] superintendent, I made the transition from being a loadmaster for the past 28 years to being a project manager to finish my career,” said Broughman. “I transitioned from my operational duties to being a visionary to help enable a more capable force for the special mission C-130’s within the P and J models. These variations require more training requirements, tactical usage and have the most capabilities.”
The 347th RQG is comprised of a Guardian Angel squadron, two flying squadrons and an operations support squadron dedicated to personnel recovery.
“I loved every moment here because we’re knuckle deep in our commitment to the mission,” Broughman added. “We train so hard because we have to be ready to complete any task. Everyone in the unit is invested in mission readiness to be prepared to save an asset at a moment’s notice. Moody’s HC-130J [Combat King II] mission touches all over the globe and is the most unique and fun assignment I’ve been a part of.”
Before concluding his career, Broughman was able to relive his enjoyable loadmaster duties and tossed sea dye over the coastal Florida skies during his final flight. Normally an aviator tradition, final or “fini” flights celebrates an individual before departing their unit in which they are hosed down with water by their comrades, family and friends.
For Senior Master Sgt. Scott Shrier, 71st RQS superintendent, seeing Broughman come one step closer to finishing his storied career has been special.
“To see someone dedicate 30 years of service as a loadmaster is unheard of in this career field,” said Shrier. “[Broughman’s] ability to continually excel in the field for so long is rare. His greatest quality to me is his ability to be a soundboard as a great listener and give excellent advice. He’s one of the most strategic thinkers I’ve come across in my 22 years of service.
“I’ll greatly miss his ability to forwardly think and see the bigger picture, which is vital, especially with the [71st RQS] increased mission requirements and abilities throughout our recent HC-130P to J models,” Shrier added. “His expertise and increased vision are the things I’ll miss most about him.”
When Broughman finally gets awarded for his meritorious service during his retirement ceremony, Sept. 1, he said he doesn’t know how he’ll react when he says goodbye to his Air Force comrades, but he’s grateful of the journey.
“I’ve encountered 30 years of the invaluable life lessons and so many memories of my time have flashed through my mind,” said Broughman. “Every experience, relationship with counterparts, interaction with foreign victims during relief efforts – they all are important. One thing that comes to mind is seeing our relief victims we help see me representing the U.S. The fact that I’m helping save their lives demands a great deal of humility.
“Every day has been special,” Broughman added. “I spent a lot of time away from my kids in my career, but now I get more chances to be around them. After my retirement, I’ll still continue to cherish and reflect on the liberty we have as a nation, proudly knowing that I helped preserve that by serving my country.”
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2017 17:56 |
| Story ID: | 246967 |
| Location: | MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | COVINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Loadmaster services C-130’s for three decades, by Greg Nash, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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