JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Joint Base Langley-Eustis Soldiers and Airmen joined forces for a real-time training mission Oct. 23 at Langley Air Force Base, allowing members of both services to interact during the 27th Fighter Squadron's redeployment from Japan.
During the training, Airmen played the role of instructor by demonstrating Air Force techniques in preparing and unloading a C-17 that had returned with 27th FS cargo.
"The purpose of the training was to show Army personnel what to do for missions involving cargo planes," explained U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Glover, 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron superintendent of small air terminal and passenger travel. "Being on a joint base, we have the opportunity to interact with our Army counterparts. We wanted to create an environment that can support joint missions for the future."
The 633rd LRS serves as the logistics transportation unit for JBLE and is responsible for transporting a deploying unit's cargo around the world.
According to Glover, the 622nd Maintenance Control Detachment from Fort Eustis informed the 633rd LRS about their need for continual training due to frequent personnel changes. To increase the Army's mission readiness, Glover invited the unit to Langley for training.
Immediately following the landing of the C-17, the training began. Airmen showed Soldiers how to correctly utilize the airframe to load and unload cargo equipment.
Similar training usually occurs when Army units are deployed, said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Lee, 622nd MCD movement supervisor.
This training allowed the unit to become familiar with the equipment in garrison.
"This opportunity impacts our unit," explained Lee. "It's great to work with the Air Force and get exposure to a joint-force environment. We can't wait to do it again."
Other Soldiers shared the same sentiment.
"This was a good exercise working with the Air Force," explained U.S. Army Spc. De'Ja Rivers, 622nd MCD movement sergeant. "They're helping us become more prepared in something we need to know. Working with the Air Force allows you to learn more and see how things are done from a different perspective."
Although it was important training for the Soldiers, it was also beneficial for the Airmen.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Hughes, 633rd LRS air terminal supervisor, explained the importance of the 622nd MCD learning these tasks.
"These training missions help both sides," said Hughes. "Every time we move theater support packages, it's great to have extra help. Seeing [the Soldiers] out here today proves how beneficial a joint base can be, and how much of an asset it is to have the Army JBLE."
Moving forward, Glover said he will try to implement more joint-base training and missions for the two forces to improve as a team. He also mentioned the importance of other specialties of the military to join forces with their joint-base counterparts.
"Today's activity brought us together on a larger scale," said Glover. "We built a stronger relationship between the two branches."