Kabul, Aug 5 (Newswire): Air Force Reserve Master Sgt. Patrick Overly of Colonie is busy these days helping to move U.S. troops and vital military supplies in the Afghanistan war.
Overly and his fellow airmen of the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron are on duty at one of the world's busiest air fields, Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, according to Technical Sgt. Vernon Cunningham, an Air Force spokesman.
The 455th airmen facilitate the movement of personnel and military supplies off and on military aircraft for transport to forward operating bases in Afghanistan.
"The aerial port squadron supports this tempo by staying operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Cunningham. "They handle an average of more than 100 missions per day."
"The airfield is why we are here," said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Bloxham, Air Terminal Operations Center superintendent. "Whether it be the A-10 (Thunderbolt attack aircraft) supporting the troops in combat or us getting the bombs, bullets, food, and water to those who are at the FOB. If they don't sleep then we don't sleep. That's how it works."
ATOC has operational control of the aerial port. Its personnel, including Overly, are responsible for monitoring the schedules of all aircraft coming in and going out. They monitor the loads that go on and off the planes and oversee the passenger terminal mission.
"The ATOC is also responsible for finding the most efficient way to move cargo and personnel swiftly and efficiently," Cunningham said.
Once the ATOC has released seats and assigned aircraft to cargo, the Ramp Services section begins their mission.
"Slow is fast," said Overly, 455 EAPS Ramp Services superintendent. "We have an excellent safety guideline that we follow and uphold. We want everyone to go back home safely. We take it upon ourselves that everyone meets mission capability, but in a safe manner."
Concern for service members' safety extends beyond the cargo yard for the unit, who also are called Port Dawgs for their dogged ability to get the job done.
Overly said everyone in the unit is constantly aware that moving cargo is a vital effort in supporting the war in Afghanistan.
"When it comes to ammunition, food, water, and medical supplies, someone's life may depend on whether or not we can get it out the door in time," said Overly.
Tech. Sgt. Bradley Williams, 455 EAPS Ammo Movement noncommissioned officer, said moving ammunition to the war fighter is one of the most important missions of the port dawgs.
"The last thing we want is for the guy at the front to be out of ammunition and not be able to complete his missions out in the valley or mountains," said Williams.
As the noncommissioned officer in charge of ramp services Overly oversees the movement of aircraft cargo from aircraft.
Overly also supervises dozens of airmen and civilians on the ramp.
"Every day, personnel with 455 EAPS process more than one million pounds of cargo in support of U.S. and Coalition forces operating in Afghanistan," Overly says.
During his off-duty hours Overly works on earning an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is also studying to earn the rank of senior master.
Overly, a former East Chatham resident, enlisted in the active Air Force in 1992 after he graduated from a Chatham High School. He transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1997. When he's back in the states, he serves as an aerial port porter with the 58th Aerial Port Squadron at Westover Air Reserve Base, near Springfield, Mass.
He has earned an Air Force Commendation Medal and three Air Force Achievement Medals.
Overly and his fellow airmen of the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron are on duty at one of the world's busiest air fields, Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, according to Technical Sgt. Vernon Cunningham, an Air Force spokesman.
The 455th airmen facilitate the movement of personnel and military supplies off and on military aircraft for transport to forward operating bases in Afghanistan.
"The aerial port squadron supports this tempo by staying operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Cunningham. "They handle an average of more than 100 missions per day."
"The airfield is why we are here," said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Bloxham, Air Terminal Operations Center superintendent. "Whether it be the A-10 (Thunderbolt attack aircraft) supporting the troops in combat or us getting the bombs, bullets, food, and water to those who are at the FOB. If they don't sleep then we don't sleep. That's how it works."
ATOC has operational control of the aerial port. Its personnel, including Overly, are responsible for monitoring the schedules of all aircraft coming in and going out. They monitor the loads that go on and off the planes and oversee the passenger terminal mission.
"The ATOC is also responsible for finding the most efficient way to move cargo and personnel swiftly and efficiently," Cunningham said.
Once the ATOC has released seats and assigned aircraft to cargo, the Ramp Services section begins their mission.
"Slow is fast," said Overly, 455 EAPS Ramp Services superintendent. "We have an excellent safety guideline that we follow and uphold. We want everyone to go back home safely. We take it upon ourselves that everyone meets mission capability, but in a safe manner."
Concern for service members' safety extends beyond the cargo yard for the unit, who also are called Port Dawgs for their dogged ability to get the job done.
Overly said everyone in the unit is constantly aware that moving cargo is a vital effort in supporting the war in Afghanistan.
"When it comes to ammunition, food, water, and medical supplies, someone's life may depend on whether or not we can get it out the door in time," said Overly.
Tech. Sgt. Bradley Williams, 455 EAPS Ammo Movement noncommissioned officer, said moving ammunition to the war fighter is one of the most important missions of the port dawgs.
"The last thing we want is for the guy at the front to be out of ammunition and not be able to complete his missions out in the valley or mountains," said Williams.
As the noncommissioned officer in charge of ramp services Overly oversees the movement of aircraft cargo from aircraft.
Overly also supervises dozens of airmen and civilians on the ramp.
"Every day, personnel with 455 EAPS process more than one million pounds of cargo in support of U.S. and Coalition forces operating in Afghanistan," Overly says.
During his off-duty hours Overly works on earning an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is also studying to earn the rank of senior master.
Overly, a former East Chatham resident, enlisted in the active Air Force in 1992 after he graduated from a Chatham High School. He transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1997. When he's back in the states, he serves as an aerial port porter with the 58th Aerial Port Squadron at Westover Air Reserve Base, near Springfield, Mass.
He has earned an Air Force Commendation Medal and three Air Force Achievement Medals.
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