Photo essay: Ramp service specialists

Senior Airman Brandon Dodd, ramp services specialist with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, checks the oil in a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Senior Airman Brandon Dodd, ramp services specialist with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, checks the oil in a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Airman 1st Class Christopher Sims, ramp services specialist with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, directs a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Airman 1st Class Christopher Sims, ramp services specialist with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, directs a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Senior Airman Maura Phillips, ramp services specialist with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, lines up a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Senior Airman Maura Phillips, ramp services specialist with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, lines up a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Pallets are loaded onto a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th Aerial Port Squadron is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Pallets are loaded onto a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th Aerial Port Squadron is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Senior Airman Brandon Dodd, ramp services specialist with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, locks pallets on a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Senior Airman Brandon Dodd, ramp services specialist with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, locks pallets on a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Controls ares manipulated on a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th Aerial Port Squadron is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

Controls ares manipulated on a “60K Tunner” K-loader May 24, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The 436th Aerial Port Squadron is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adrian R. Rowan)

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- The ramp service specialists of the 436th Aerial Port Squadron play an integral part within the Department of Defense's largest aerial port.