Loadmaster superintendent ensures troops, cargo deploy downrange

Photo By Master Sgt. Lakisha Croley | U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Gregory Keels, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster superintendant, is a Thomasville, N.C., native deployed from the 39th Airlift Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

06.07.2010

Story by Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice 

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

With the U.S. military's support of two war fronts, to include a major drawdown in Iraq and buildup in Afghanistan, airlift support of troops and supplies in and out of the war zone is critical.

This is where C-130E/H loadmasters such as Master Sgt. Gregory Keels, 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron superintendant, come in.

"My primary focus is the moving of combat troops and equipment in and out of the combat zone," said the Thomasville, N.C., native deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "The small piece of the airlift machine that our ramp coordination team provides is meeting and greeting every C-130 that takes-off and lands here. More importantly, I assist aircrews in the loading and off-loading of cargo and passengers, as well as keeping relations smooth between the other organizations that make the mission go."

A typical day in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility begins early in the morning for Sergeant Keels to make sure he is ready for the first "go" or takeoff of the day.

"Most morning flights have what we call 'halftimes' which means they return to the base at least once during the mission and go back out again before mission termination," he said, "so midday gets extremely busy. After a quick lunch, I have a little time to do some of the administrative duties that I'm responsible for. For instance, I'm the decoration processor for the 737th EAS, so all Air Medals and Aerial Achievement Medals cross my desk for review and corrections before going to the commander for processing. After 20 combat missions, aircrew members are eligible for one of these decorations, so I will process close to 170 medals during my tenure."

The senior NCO said he spends a few hours every day on administrative duties before heading back to the line to recover the morning launches. On the flightline, he assists aircrews and maintainers in reconfiguring the aircraft to carry different loads and in completing preflight duties.

Keels said one of the most important aspects of his job is coordinating between the various flying mission agencies.

"I pride myself on diffusing any disagreements that may arise between a crew and our maintenance or air terminal operations counterparts," he said. "Building healthy relationships with these agencies is of the utmost importance to mission accomplishment. Cooler heads always prevail, and intervening when a crew and maintenance [teams] are tired from long days, will go a long way to getting the mission done."

The 17-year Air Force veteran said his job downrange is quite different from that at his home station.

"At home station, my job is more administrative in nature such as managing training, currency and deployment requirements for 57 loadmasters," he said. "Here in the AOR, getting the opportunity to put 'eyes' on every crew on a daily basis is crucial."

While the senior NCO has a lot more interaction with the aircraft and crews on the flightline while here as the superintendant, he is still missing out on his favorite aspect of being a loadmaster more than he would like to.

"Flying is what I enjoy most," he said, "which I don't get to do much of in this position. Knowing that you are responsible for getting a young private home to his wife and 15-month old baby that he may have only seen in pictures, makes it all worth it."

Now serving on his ninth deployment, his first six while serving as a vehicle maintainer in his previous career field, Keels said he understands the importance of deploying and appreciates the opportunity.

"I absolutely love the deployed mission we do," he said. "Our primary mission at home is airdrop [training], so this is the only time we really get to 'get in the fight' so to speak. We did do some Haitian relief work right before the deployment which is the best part of what we can do with airlift - help those in need all over the globe."

Keels is scheduled to redeploy to Dyess AFB this month.

• Date Taken: 06.07.2010
• Date Posted: 06.07.2010 04:14
• Story ID: 50970
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)