70th APS leads the way in Patriot Partner 2006

  • Published
  • By Dan Galindo
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD ARB, FLA --  More than 40 reservists of the 70th Aerial Port Squadron here at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. recently led a partial takeover of port operations at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. for operation Patriot Partner 2006. 

The Homestead team coordinated all the logistics bringing together more than 130 Air Force reservists from six Reserve units to form the 333rd Consolidated Aerial Port Squadron from late July until Aug 5. 

"We took over about 70 percent of the operations from the active-duty unit, the 437th (Aerial Port Squadron)," said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Hiney, 70th APS superintendent. 

"The first week we worked side-by-side with the active-duty airmen, while we actually took over and ran the show after that," he said. 

While the consolidated Reserve unit got valuable training from the experience, the mission served real-world needs. Reservists moved much of the cargo in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. They also moved life-critical supplies for humanitarian relief in Honduras. 

For the 333rd CAPS, the job included working round-the-clock shifts, handling enormous amounts of aircraft, cargo and passengers in only two weeks.
Reservists working in Passenger Services handled close to 1,050 travelers; Cargo Processing specialists moved about 2,000 tons of cargo; And 333rd CAPS members in Special Handling and Ramp Services loaded and unloaded about 300 aircraft. 

In addition, reservists filled roles in the Air Terminal Operations Center, load planning, fleet services, supply, and training and commander support staff sections. 

Working with several Reserve aerial port squadrons from around the U.S. and the active-duty unit at Charleston Air Force Base presented several challenges. However, the Homestead reservists more than prevailed. 

"Blending is a little bit rough initially when you have so many people from different places," said Master Sgt. Roberta Milanowski, NCO in charge of Cargo Processing. "Sometimes you have a top performer from one unit, and another stellar troop from another unit comes along, you have a sandpaper effect. It's just a growing process." 

The 333rd clearly handled it well. The active-duty host unit recognized Tech. Sgt. Thomas McKee of Homestead's 70th APS as this year's Patriot Partner Outstanding 
Performer. 

"The experience and other hands-on training will definitely help us do a great job when we get to the (Persian) Gulf next summer," Sergeant Milanowski said. 

The other Air Force Reserve units led by Homestead's 70th APS were: the 25th APS from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.; the 27th APS from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; the 53rd APS from Pope Air Force Base, N.C.; 73rd APS from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas; and the 85th APS from Hanscom Air Reserve Base, Mass.