Deliver!

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Abigail Wise
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Dover's Aerial Port not only delivers 70 percent of all non-deployment related cargo going into Iraq and Afghanistan, but also strives towards excellence in all they do.

The Inventory Control System is a computer program that keeps track of pallets inside of a holding area, with an Elevating Transfer Vehicle which physically moves the pallets from the loading docks into an available holding space, and retrieves them when prompted.

"Each pallet has an identification code, telling the computer what should be in the pallet," said Airman First Class Thomas Floyd, 436th APS cargo processor. "The computer will tell us when the ID code doesn't match the cargo."

The ICS will do laser contouring of the pallet, and this is the only location in the Air Force that does this procedure. Laser contouring means photos of all sides of the pallet are taken, and Airmen like A1C Floyd will check all sides to ensure the pallet was put together correctly, said Capt. Steve Moore, 436th Aerial Port Squadron air terminal operation center director of operations.

"Nine times out of ten, it will be fine, but on the off chance that it needs fixing, we look to catch it," he said. "We need to make sure they're the right dimensions, so we can best use the cargo space on the plane."

The port is very conscious of space saving. The ICS stores the pallets three stories high. The ground area adjacent to the flight line is precious, so for a port with such a large amount of cargo coming and going, they store it in a way that doesn't impinge on the taxi areas, explained Capt. Moore.

"The holding area here can store 590 pallets at one time" he said. "Could you imagine not having the ICS? The pallets would be lined up out on the pavement."

"With the amount of cargo we move each day, it can be argued we couldn't do it without the Inventory Control System," said Captain Moore, "but I've seen it happen."

On Aug. 24 2009 one of the ETVs became inoperable. The Airmen of the port went into overdrive working to move the cargo. They no longer had use of the ETV system at all.

They were on 12-hour shifts for only 10 days, which was how long it took them to transport all the cargo outside, explained Capt. Moore.

According to Maj. Michael Riley, 436th APS commander, between Jan. 12 and Jan. 25, 2010, the port has moved 7,696 total pallets, and 4,875 total tons airlifted.

With all the cargo being transported, the port is dedicated to safety. They have won the Air Force Explosive Safety award for the last eight years.

The 436th APS transports anything - munitions, tanks, bombs, and even family members.

"They carry some very precious cargo, so they have to do it right every time," said Capt. Moore.

"There are holding areas in the back of the building that store chemicals and potentially hazardous material that will seal itself off if they detect a leak. There are sprinklers, vents and water drains," said Capt. Moore. "Safety is paramount."