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A loadmaster speaks with two members from Marine Corps Systems Command land systems defense acquisition team Sept 5. 2018, at Dover Air Force Base. The Marine Corps is constantly looking for ways to move more equipment while constantly decreasing cost (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Jonathan Harding)

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Loadmasters and members of the Marine Corps Systems Command land systems defense acquisition team discuss airlift operations aboard a static C-5M Super Galaxy Sept 5, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. MARCORSYSCOM is responsible for equipment development. Their visit to Dover AFB was intended to improve their partnership with Air Force loadmasters, who are responsible for movine Marine Corps equipment to the warfighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Jonathan Harding)

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A group of land systems defence acquisition engineers and logisiticans from the Marine Corps Systems Command walks on the flight line after a tour on a C-17 Globemaster III Sept. 5, 2018 Sept. 5, 2018 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Their visit was intended to imrpove the partnership between loadmasters and MARCORSYSCOM. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Jonathan Harding.)

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Marine Corps System Command land systems defense acquisition engineers and logisiticans stand under the tail of a C-5M Super Galaxy Sept 5, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Last year members from MARCORSYSCOM land systems defense acquisition team came to Dover AFB to see how an MQ-9 Reaper is loaded onto an aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Jonathan Harding)

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Master Sgt John Crowe, 9th Arilift Squadron loadmaster, leads a group of engineers and logisiticans from Marine Corps Systems Command land system defense to a C-17 Globemaster III aitcraft Sept. 5, 2018 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The engineers and logisticians are tasked with finding more equipment that makes the US Marine Corps more leathal.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Jonathan Harding)

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Members from Marine Corps Systems Command land systems defense acquisition engineers and logisiticians pose for a picture in front of a C-17 III Globemaster Sept 5. 2018, Dover Air Force Base, Del. The ratio of active duty members to civillians in MARCORSYSCOM is 1-to-6, with 50 active duty members and 300 civillian members (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Harding.)

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Members look out the tail end of a C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to the 3rd Airlift Squadron Sept. 5, 2018. Marine Corps Systems Command land systems defense acquisition engineers and logisiticans visited Dover AFB to develop ideas on how to better assist with loadmaster capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Harding)

USMC engineers, logisticians visit DAFB

Published Sept. 18, 2018
By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Harding
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Thirteen Marine Corps engineers and logisticians met with Dover loadmasters here Sept. 5, 2018, to learn how mobility aircraft transport USMC equipment.

Located in Quantico, Virginia, Marine Corps Systems Command land systems defense acquisition engineers and logisticians acquire equipment that increases Marine Corps lethality. The unit designs utility tactical vehicles and light tactical vehicles used in operations around the world.

Their visit to Dover AFB was intended to help them better understand aircraft size constraints, ask questions, and get a better understanding of loadmaster duties.

“As experts in loading the aircraft, we rely upon the designers of equipment so that we can get their cargo where it needs to go,” said Master Sgt. Terry Langston, 3rd Airlift Squadron readiness flight chief. “Without all of these players directly involved as a team, there are possibilities for delays or damage to equipment or the aircraft.”

To showcase Team Dover’s mission of rapid global mobility, the engineers and logisticians were given tours of the aircraft assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing. Master Sgt. John Crowe, a C-17 loadmaster assigned to the 9th Airlift Squadron, and Langston, a C-5M loadmaster, led the tour groups, discussed load patterns and answered questions.

“They were the guys taking the notes, asking us what we needed,” Crowe said. “You know it’s a good partnership when they want to know how they can make the cargo movement easier.”

During their stay, the engineers and logisticians had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how their job impacts Air Force mobility operations by interacting with both airframes, said Crowe. The time spent together provided great insight on both sides – improving communications and gaining a wider depth of knowledge – in order to create more viable resources for Marines.

“The team from MARCORSYSCOM came here to talk to our loadmasters and see how mobility Airmen move their equipment to where it’s needed,” Langston said. “We hope we can continue building this partnership with them. As we work to standardize mobility procedures across all branches, we’ll be able to better support the warfighter.”

The guests observed loading procedures and learned how aircrews restrain cargo in order to work toward improving loading and offloading procedures, Crowe said.

Langston said MARCORSYSCOM land systems defense acquisition engineers and logisticians knew aircraft specifications, but actually seeing these aircraft in person enhanced the impact.

“Members from the two services brainstormed different ideas on how to improve and standardize the process of uploading and downloading cargo from each airframe,” Crowe said. “Dover AFB looks forward to working with members from MARCORSYSCOM to foster a stronger relationship to develop more combat-ready military vehicles.”