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Joint Operational Logistics

By 2nd Lt. Christopher Bowyer-Meeder, 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published June 17, 2014

A U.S. Navy C-130 taxis down the runway at Tyndall Air Force Base June 13 in support of Naval exercise “Rim of the Pacific.” Personnel from the 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron participated in the joint operation by loading cargo and equipment in to the aircraft. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
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A U.S. Navy C-130 taxis down the runway at Tyndall Air Force Base June 13 in support of Naval exercise “Rim of the Pacific.” Personnel from the 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron participated in the joint operation by loading cargo and equipment in to the aircraft. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)

Airmen load a Hardside Expandable Light Air Mobile Shelter, or HELAM, on to a Navy C-130 June 13 in support of Naval exercise “Rim of the Pacific." Personnel from the 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron participated in the joint operation by loading cargo and equipment in to the aircraft. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)
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Airmen load a Hardside Expandable Light Air Mobile Shelter, or HELAM, on to a Navy C-130 June 13 in support of Naval exercise “Rim of the Pacific." Personnel from the 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron participated in the joint operation by loading cargo and equipment in to the aircraft. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo)

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TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Air Force is known for keeping the skies safe, but Airmen and civilian personnel from the 325th Logistics Readiness Squadron took a step towards keeping the oceans safe June 13.

A Navy C-130 landed at Tyndall Air Force Base, and personnel from the 325th LRS helped load the Navy aircraft with cargo and equipment to be taken to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

The combined effort was in support of a U.S. Navy exercise called "Rim of the Pacific."

"This is what we call 'Joint Operational Logistics,'" said Lt. Col. Anthony Mullinax, 325th LRS commander. "It's awesome to see our contractors work these kinds of missions; it's what they live for on the flight line. This was a great team effort on all fronts."

The combined operation provides an opportunity for Air Force personnel to work in a joint environment.

"Working with different people is always good," said Clifton Ross, Bering Straits Logistics small terminals air freight lead. "It's not the monotony of working with the same individuals, and you get to see a whole lot of different interesting aircraft and projects."

The 325th LRS was responsible for loading supplies on the aircraft including U.S. Navy cargo and computers, Ross explained. The shipment also included a Hardside Expandable Light Air Mobile Shelter, or HELAM.

"A HELAM pretty much turns in to a bunker for them to work out of," Ross said.

The process begins with the Navy contacting the Air Force, said Ross. The Navy will discuss what needs to be shipped, and Airmen will go to the Navy base to examine the cargo. Once the Airmen see it first hand, they make the decision to approve the shipment or not. Once approved, the Navy schedules the planes, brings the items to be shipped to the Air Force Base, and after some finishing touches and a joint inspection, the cargo is prepared to be loaded for the mission.

This particular shipment was one of two that was bound for Hickam.

Coordinating a well-executed, combined logistics operation sounds like an intimidating task, but this was actually one of the simpler tasks to accomplish, Ross said.

"I've been here for 10 years and we've worked with the Navy, and these two shipments were actually very small," said Ross. "There was a point in time earlier when I got here, within the last 10 years, when we were sending out High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and trailers, various equipment, vehicles and other supplies to different locations. Every experience has been really interesting with them."