Army, Air Force units join forces to speed worldwide delivery of vital cargo

Published May 10, 2012
By 1st Lt. Edward McCann
U.S. Army 688th Rapid Port Opening Element

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- Soldiers of the 688th Rapid Port Opening Element based here at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. and Airmen assigned to the 818th Contingency Response Group from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., worked jointly at three airfields in the Greater-Phoenix, Ariz. area April 18 to 24.

Four Soldiers participated in the airfield assessments, working diligently alongside their Air Force counterparts to assess Phoenix-Goodyear, Scottsdale, and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airports, all in Ariz.

"Any time we get an opportunity to work with [RPOE Soldiers] our training is so much more valuable," said Lt. Col. Earl Ardales, 818th global Mobility Squadron director of operations. "No matter where we are, practicing joint training is always advantageous."

The Soldiers of the RPOE agree.

"I definitely better understand the joint task force-port opening mission now," said Sgt. 1st Class Corey Adams, 688th RPOE clearance section NCO in-charge. "As an Army cargo handler, I have extensive experience with air and sea port of debarkation operations, and could picture a JTF-PO operation easily in my mind. However, the nuances of this operation cannot be explained through briefings and slide presentations. I am glad I attended the training."

Joint task force-port opening is a United States Transportation Command-directed capability providing rapid expeditionary air and sea port operations facilitating the throughput of cargo for worldwide contingencies in support of a combatant commander. It is comprised of specialized Army, Navy, and Air Force units operating as a joint force.

Of the three airfields assessed, all were unique. Phoenix-Goodyear has a single runway with vast open fields surrounding it. Scottsdale is built in a highly urbanized area. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway is large with easy access to main highways. Issues such as size and number of aircraft capable of landing and parking, size of holding yards for cargo, and dust abatement were just a few of the critical topics discussed.

By assessing these runways, the group practiced one of the key elements to a JTF-PO - airfield assessments. Airfield assessments are part of the U.S. Air Force mission, but by including RPOE Soldiers, the focus is broadened to not analyze the airfield for aircraft use, but for standing up a task force capable of moving up to 560 short-tons per day from the delivery aircraft into surrounding areas.
This trip also served as an excellent starting point for both the 688th and 818th, as both will be working together at the Joint Operations Access Exercise at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in June and assume Alert status for worldwide mobility in October.

"I sent my Soldiers to Phoenix to practice their craft, but also to forge relationships," said Maj. Joseph Borovicka, 688th RPOE commander. "The first few hours are crucial when we land on an airfield to stand up a JTF-PO. This trip will minimize the transition period between two units of different services working together to a joint unit working as one. The value-added is enormous."