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Fairchild makes strong showing at Air Mobility Rodeo’s KC-135 load competition

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Three umpires from Air Mobility Command's Standards and Evaluations KC-135 branch confirmed July 26 what Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., crews already knew - they rock.

The third team of the day to compete in the KC-135 load challenge at the Air Mobility Rodeo, the Fairchild team earned 2,344 points of a possible 3,000. The team lead, Tech. Sgt. David Nixon, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron, said he was especially proud of their performance.

"The judges lauded us for teamwork," said Nixon who said during the debrief the first question the evaluators asked were how much practice the four-man crew did as a team. "'None,' I told them."

Although it's not uncommon for KC-135 crews to load cargo onto their jet, the scenario they were presented with was "the single most complex load I have ever seen in my life," said Nixon who was mission qualified in May 1998. His third Air Mobility Rodeo, this was his first representing Fairchild.

The team was presented with two K loaders with a variety of cargo that included hazardous materials in addition to nine passengers; all had to be loaded s in less than 90 minutes. Nixon led the team to completion in 73 minutes.

Master Sgt. J.L. Smith, Senior Master Sgt. Mike Morris and Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Siles of AMC's Standards and Evaluation KC-135 Branch were the day's umpires for the KC-135 load event. But they couldn't pull of the scenario without help from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Terminal Operations Center.

At least five ATOC members were there to help brief the scenario, drive two K loaders and watch the competition unfold.

"We were the ones who made the mistakes for them to find," smiled Staff Sgt. Kenny Maeng of ATOC.

Staff Sgt. Chad Holloway, 92nd ARS boom operator, said the scenario was hectic, "but we overcame adversity. It just shows the professionalism all Fairchild crews have."

That respect and professionalism was felt throughout the team.

"Chad is awesome," said Nixon. "We worked as one. He knew what I was doing and I knew what he was doing and we didn't have to worry about each other. The pilots were a compliment to the team - for them to work outside their specialty to make the load work was awesome."

Although members from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing and Spokane civic-leaders were cheering on the team, they weren't able to see the competition from inside the KC-135. One of the most exciting spectator moments was when Nixon and Maj. Steve Harler, 92nd Operations Support Squadron instructor pilot, were maneuvering the tail support strut.

Anytime a KC-135 is loaded with cargo, a tail support strut is placed between the outside of the jet's tail to the ground. After the aircraft is loaded, the support is stored in a panel on the underside of the plane. A screwdriver is traditionally used to loosen and tighten the spring-loaded screws that secure the panel.

"I know that a quarter fits the slot perfectly and I made sure Chad and I each had a quarter in our flight suit pocket," said Nixon. "I'm glad we did because it saved us time; the toolbox was strapped and locked inside the plane."

The two boom operators were joined by two pilots to make up Fairchild's KC-135 load team.

"Dave was barking out orders - our goal was to stay out of his way," said Capt. Jim Blech, 92nd OSS chief of tactics, who said he and Harler were getting straps and tie downs for the two boom operators. "We wanted to be ready - sitting on his shoulders - in case he needed anything.

"I've never seen cargo like that; it was awesome putting six pallets on the jet," said Blech.

The two booms were going back and forth between the jet and the K loaders double and triple checking the cargo and making sure it was safe to load. "Dave and Chad were everywhere - just keeping up with these guys was a challenge. We were waiting for direction and then did what they asked the best and as quick as we could," said Harler.

This was the first time these four ever worked together to load a KC-135. "This gave me more appreciation for what the booms do," said Harler.

Blech echoed the praise, "We trust them to do a very important job. Even with the little things they missed, we had a safe load."

The entire team was appreciative of the support given to them by the Spokane-area civic leaders who attended the event."Having them there before, during and after the event to cheer us on was a huge morale boost. It was fantastic - especially because they don't know us apart from everyone else," said Nixon.