FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Soldiers and Airmen worked together to sharpen their mission-readiness skills during a joint inspection training exercise Aug. 5 to 7 at Fort Eustis.
The training was essential for 690th Rapid Port Opening Element, 597th Transportation Brigade Soldiers and 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and 71st Aerial Port Squadron Airmen because it emulated what any one of the RPOEs would experience prior to being sent on a contingency operation. The purpose of the training was to more effectively respond to a contingency operation anywhere in the world.
For the Air Force, especially the 71st APS, a reserve unit, the training gave its Airmen valuable practice at conducting a joint inspection, constructing pallets, and securing vehicles/pallets on a mock-up aircraft ramp. For the Army, the training not only ensured that the vehicles of the 690th RPOE were properly weighed and marked, but it also gave the Soldiers an insight into how the Air Force conducts a JI.
"One thing that I gained from this training was an increased proficiency in my pallet-building skills," said Pfc. Michael Barton of the 690th RPOE. "The training was vital to all three organizations since it allowed for valuable sharing of knowledge that might not have otherwise occurred."
The 633rd LRS is stationed at Langley Air Force Base and has the mission of supporting one of the largest fighter wings in the Air Force as well as Army personnel (to include the RPOEs) that deploy through Langley. The 71st APS, a geographically-separated part of the 512th Mission Support Group of the Air Force Reserve, has the mission of providing logistical functions to airports of debarkation to include passenger and cargo processing, airdrop rigging, and preparing cargo for flight, among various other assignments.
"I think it was valuable in showing the Soldiers and NCOs the proper ways to prepare the equipment for air loads," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Cook of the 690th RPOE.
The training was spearheaded by Chief Warrant Officer Stephen Armstrong of the 690th RPOE. Armstrong had previously served 14 years in the Air Force before becoming an Army warrant officer. He lent his expertise in conducting JIs and cargo inspection to Airmen and Soldiers that were present.
"As always, this training opportunity speaks to the high level of motivation, dedication, and professionalism of the Soldiers of the 690th RPOE and Airmen of the 633rd LRS and 71st APS," Armstrong said.