Cargo handlers keep supplies moving

Published June 4, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Do you need your unaccompanied baggage sent back to the U.S.? Are you waiting for a refurbished aircraft part? Your air transportation specialists are here to help.

"We're the Air Force version of UPS," said Tech. Sgt. Roger Braun, 731st Air Mobility Squadron cargo processing supervisor.

The 12 Airmen of the 731st Air Mobility Squadron's cargo handling section are involved in most of the cargo movement for U.S. forces in the Republic of Korea.

Their day starts at 7 a.m. as they prepare their section's vehicles and paperwork for the upcoming workload. The trucks start coming in a couple of hours later, loaded down with pallets full of military cargo. The cargo is separated into inbound and outbound according to destination.

"We process cargo - we handle it, ship it, send it out and bring it in," said Senior Airman Cesar Martinez, 731st AMS air transportation specialist. "The majority of it is unaccompanied and household goods."

The 731st handles about 20 pallets of unaccompanied baggage per day, weighing about 3,750 pounds each. Working with that much cargo all the time requires some continuity and that's where the section's five Korean national employees come in.

"My favorite part (of my job) is working with the local nationals," said Senior Airman Christopher Johnson, 731st AMS air transportation specialist. "You not only get to learn their culture and language, you also broaden yourself and your (job) knowledge."

Most of the Koreans who work in the cargo handling section have been doing the job for more than 30 years.

"I would like to say they've learned from me, but ... every now and then I get to help," joked Airman Johnson.

Even though there's seven years of experience between Airmen Johnson and Martinez, there's always something new to learn, they said.

"There's about six or seven different sections in our job and I've worked two," said Airman Martinez. "Every time I move I learn a whole new job."

One thing Airman Johnson said he learned is that cargo handling is important on so many levels.

"We take care of not just the Air Force, but all branches," he said. "Our main job is to get (servicemembers) supplies. Without us, they'd have to find another means to get cargo."

In order to expedite the movement of cargo, the cargo handling section said they need everyone's help.

"If you're trying to send something, call ahead and ask us what paperwork you need," said Airman Johnson. Anyone with questions can call 784-8224 for more information.

So, no matter if it's a vehicle part that weighs hundreds of pounds or a box of photos that weighs 10 pounds, the 731st AMS cargo handlers are taking care of Osan's mission.

"We bring in the cargo and personnel so we can be 'Ready to Fight Tonight!'" said Airman Johnson.