Loadmasters hitting the spot
By SGT Pene Tanuvasa
Cargo drops from the Herc’s back ramp.
A little under half an hour away from the drop zone, the Navigator calls for the ‘Pre-slowdown checks’ and it’s time for the loadmaster to complete the final inspection of the load.
As the captain manoeuvres hard to avoid some sporadic Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA), the Loadmasters complete the final set of checks ensuring that nothing will prevent a successful outcome to this airdrop. Tired, hungry and low on supplies, the battalion who will be receiving the supplies and reinforcements from above have been fighting hard to halt the opposition’s advance for the past week and are in dire need of the payload we have on board.
Wiping the sweat away from his forehead, the Loadmaster lowers his visor, signals to the No 1, and it’s game on. Less than a minute later, the ramp and door are open and warm desert air has filled the cavernous cargo compartment. The atmosphere is intense with anticipation and with merely seconds to go before the drop, the Loadmaster affords himself one last mental scan through the checklist ‘Emergency Restraint Chains – POSITIONED, Load & Extraction System – CHECKED, V-Knife – POSITIONED’
Air Loadmasters SGTs McQueen and Hodges prepare to launch a package over the drop zone.
‘Five Seconds!’ exclaims the Navigator. The red of the jump lights provide an eerie, crimson glow to the back of the aircraft and after what seems to be an eternity, the five seconds tick by accompanied by three times as many heartbeats. With the words ‘Green On’, the anticipation is replaced by pure adrenaline and the first domino is knocked over. The parachute - tasked with dragging 28000lbs of platform out the back - falls from the ceiling of the ‘Herc’ and out into the airflow, inflating with such force, it feels like the aircraft is going to be ripped in two. Then, faster than you can say ‘Load Clear’, the cargo is gone and on its way to its grateful recipients.
A C-130 Hercules is loaded with a Land Rover.
Although the AAA and troops in the scenario above were simulated, the mission itself was very real and is a good snapshot of a day in the life of a C-130 Loadmaster. On exercises and courses such as Maple Flag, Skytrain, and Joint Readiness Training Centre (JRTC), scenarios like this are conducted in preparation for coalition Airlift and Airdrop operations.
So what exactly does an Air Loadmaster do? First and foremost, we are responsible for the safe and efficient loading of the Air Force’s C-130 Hercules and Boeing B757 aircraft. We ensure that all cargo is restrained and distributed evenly throughout the aircraft in a manner that keeps it balanced throughout all phases of flight (not too nose or tail heavy) and does not exceed any of the structural limitations of the aircraft. This includes calculation of the aircrafts Centre of Gravity (C of G) and weight during all phases of flight. Although this is an extremely important part of an Air Loadmasters job, it is also only a small element of what we do.
Air Loadmaster, SGT Fabian McQueen ensures that all cargo is restrained and distributed evenly throughout the aircraft.
It is during tactical flights such as that described above, that the C-130 Hercules truly comes in to its own. With the ability to insert troops or re-supply units via Airland or Airdrop operations, it is the Loadmaster’s job to ensure that everything that exits the aircraft has the best chance of arriving safely at its destination. This includes inspection of airdrop loads, rigging of the loads and extraction systems, and the expeditious loading and unloading of troops and assault groups during ‘infil’ and ‘exfil’ sorties. Because the C-130 and B757 are required to work in some quite exotic locations, we invariably find ourselves trotting around the globe. From the desert of Afghanistan inserting and extracting the Provincial Reconstruction Team and coalition troops, to the lakes of Northern Alberta in Canada, conducting aerial delivery of troops and cargo under fighter escort aircraft during Maple Flag; the motto of 40 Squadron is certainly fitting ‘Ki Nga Hau E Wha’ – ‘To the Four Winds’
NZDF Air Movements personnel unload aid at Munda Airfield in the Solomon Islands.
The duties of a Loadmaster are many and varied, and include flight planning and facilitation, customs and agriculture quarantine liaison, search and rescue and casevac/medevac operations, among many others. You could say we are a ‘Jack of all trades’ it requires an ability to work under pressure while maintaining an eye for detail. At the end of the day when the task is done, the results can be very rewarding. Being on No.40 Squadron, you get to see the fruits of the Air Force’s labour first hand. If it sounds like a career you would like to pursue, talk to a Loadmaster next time you’re onboard the C-130 or B757 (we won’t bite, honest), or keep an eye on Base Routine Orders where vacancies for NCO Aircrew are advertised when required. With a view from our office which is second to none, what are you waiting for?