After Action Report C-17 RO/RO (Joint Load Training) Charleston Air Force Base Charleston, South Carolina October 28, 2010 Department of Homeland Security Pre-positioned Equipment Program PST-5 Columbia, South Carolina U.S. Air Force Reserve 315 th Air Lift Control Flight C-17
Executive Summary: Operation Blivit Phase II, a joint load training exercise between the 315 th Air Lift Control Flight (ALCF) (Charleston Air Force Base) and PST-5 (Department of Homeland Security Prepositioned Equipment Program) took place on October 28, 2010 at Charleston Air Force Base. The purpose of the training exercise was to test the approach shoring and ramps developed to facilitate Roll On / Roll Off (RO/RO) capability of the PST-5 Tractors and Trailers. Personnel from both groups were able to physically load a fully loaded Tractor and Trailer from PST-5 s equipment cache. The overall experience went extremely well. Many issues and concerns were answered, as well as future training ideas. It was quickly realized the two groups will continue benefit from this and future training session. Exercise Overview: Exercise Name: C-17 RO/RO Duration: Eight hours (8) Exercise Date: October, 28 2010 Sponsor: Non-sponsored Type of Exercise: Training Funding Source: Non-funded Program: Not Applicable Focus: Preparedness Classification: Unclassified (U) Scenario: Other/Specify (O). Location: Charleston Air Force Base, Charleston, South Carolina, FEMA Region IV
Participating Organizations: U.S. Air Force Reserve/Department of Homeland Security (Jointly) Participants: 315 th Air Lift Control Flight (U.S. Air Force Reserve), PST-5 (Department of Homeland Security Pre-positioned Equipment Program) Number of Participants: 315 th Air Lift Control Flight (4), PST-5 (8) Exercise Overview: The training exercise was intended evaluate the approach shoring and ramps designed by the US Air Force and built by PST-5. The ramps give PST-5 the unique ability to airlift the entire cache to include tractors and trailers. Exercise Evaluation: Not Applicable Exercise Goals & Objectives: Goal #1: Continue to develop a relationship between U.S. Air Force Reserve and PEP Program Objective: Exchange organizations mission, and capabilities information. Goal #2: Verify PST-5 cache flight capability Objective: Successfully load a complete tractor, trailer and 5 ISU containers onto a C-17 aircraft.
Exercise Events Synopsis: PST-5 personnel arrived at the PST-5 Base of Operations at approximately 0600 and prepared the cache for transport to Charleston Air Force Base. The trip took two hours, and the team arrived at 0900 and was quickly processed through the security point. The personnel of PST-5 made contact with Master Sergeant James Ebert of the 315 th Air Lift Control Fight and reviewed the training goals for the day. A safety briefing was conducted prior to personnel entering the Aircraft. At this time PST-5 members along with the members of the 315 th Air Lift Control Fight began the placement of the ramps, cribbing and approach shoring designed and constructed to facilitate Roll-On / Roll-Off capability for the PST-5 equipment cache. After a short period the team began the process of loading a Freightliner Tractor and a 53 Fontain Trailer complete with 5 fully loaded cans, onto the aircraft. The loading was accomplished through a combination of vehicle power and mechanical winching. Once all equipment was loaded members of the 315 th Air Lift Control Fight assessed the viable anchor points required for safe transport of the units assets. The aircraft was then unloaded and a post operative debrief was conducted with participating members of PST-5 and the 315 th Air Lift Control Fight. The PST-5 cache was secured and the training concluded at 1500. Analysis of Mission Outcomes: PST-5 and the 315 th Air Lift Control Flight both met the mission outcomes as set forth in the Exercise Goals and Objectives, Successfully load a complete tractor, trailer and 5 ISU containers onto a C-17 aircraft.
Key points include: This is the first time in the history of the Prepositioned Equipment Program that an entire POD tractor/trailer has been loaded onto a C-17 aircraft. This RO/RO capability will expand the airlift deployment capabilities of the program both CONUS and OCONUS. The initial loading of the equipment took about three hours. This time will be greatly increased with the modification of the prototype ramp set and additional training / exercises. Prototype cribbing, ramps and approach shoring proved effective for the initial load. Additional revisions will be made to the prototype set and reevaluated before additional sets are constructed. Load plans are being developed by the 315 th Air Lift Control Fight to facilitate the RO/RO deployment of an entire PST, to include: 2 - Freightliner Tractors, 2-53 Trailers, Suburban, 10 ISU Containers, and 3-467L Pallets (to facilitate the deployment of body bags) onto two C-17 aircraft. The movement and placement of shoring and ramps involved with the loading of equipment is very physically demanding (ramp sections weigh in excess of 200 lbs.). Should air deployments be required the current minimum deployment staffing of 2 Full-Time and 5 Part- Time would be grossly inadequate. The weather during this exercise as poor with intermittent showers throughout the day. Providing quality uniform rain gear to each PST member should be evaluated. Modifications should be made to the existing prototypes and another reload exercise should be completed before addition ramp sets are constructed. The acquisition of 3 463L pallets and complete netting sets to allow for the transportation of body bags should be evaluated. Following this training a better understanding of each others organization has occurred. As a result of this meeting possible future training opportunities were discussed. It is clear that the meeting was deemed a success by both parties. Conclusion: PST-5 and the 315 th Air Lift Control Flight both demonstrated the knowledge, skill, and ability to effectively transfer the equipment cache from the tractor trailers to the aircraft. The equipment is capable of being secured on the aircraft and safely flown to a determined location. Several load plan configurations were discussed based on the needs of the incident and requests from the AHJ. The C-17 air frame will be able top handle the entire cache of PST-5 as opposed to several C-130 s which were determined as a result of the February 2009 training with the 169 th Operations Support Flight.