MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- From aircraft parts to training equipment, the transportation management office packing and crating Airmen work daily ensuring equipment is received and delivered quickly and effectively across the Department of Defense both stateside and overseas.
Aside from distribution, these Airmen also are responsible for packaging items correctly according to Air Force Instructions and completing customs paperwork associated with the items being shipped.
“Our Airmen are asked to be extremely knowledgeable on where to find many different regulations regarding how to properly handle and package items,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Manske, NCO in charge of packing and crating section, assigned to the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron. “These regulations can vary based on many factors to include what country they are being sent to or the type of equipment being shipped.”
As well as being responsible for all inbound and outbound shipping for the wing, they handle items being shipped for U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.
“Nothing really changes in how we operate when we support our combatant commands versus the wing,” said Manske. “The most interesting thing is just seeing all of the different items that we can learn about.”
After TMO receives an item they ensure the item is packaged, labeled and palletized for easy transport.
“We don’t have specific ways that we build pallets because the shapes of items may vary from time to time,” said Manske. “Since a lot of our job is based on the various items we may come across, we spend a lot of time training our Airmen to be efficient professionals.”
Although they work at a wing, Airmen understand they make an impact globally across the DOD.
“It’s amazing to see how we support the mission of the DOD around the world,” said Senior Airman Aryanna Donigan, a packing and crating journeyman assigned to the 6th LRS. “If we don’t get these items processed in and out quickly then someone else is waiting longer to get their mission done.”
At the end of the day 6th LRS Airmen know when they wake up the next day they are ready to impact the mission around the world.