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Copy, KC-10 coming down in 10 mike. Get a K-loader, crew and stairs to it. Forty cargo pallets to final down range.
“Wait, what cargo? Where is it going? Why is it important?” are just a few of the questions an onlooker may ask themselves as thousands of pounds of cargo is moved everyday by the Airmen of the 721st Aerial Port Squadron.
The 40 pallets that were moved March 25 are part of the Denton Program. The program is a Department of Defense initiative that moves humanitarian cargo donated by U.S.-based nongovernmental organizations to developing nations to ease human suffering. The cargo the 721st APS handled contained more than 285,000 meals for children in need.
“I believe the job my Airmen did today is awesome,” said Capt. Teresa Crampton, 721st APS air freight flight commander. “A lot of the time, the first thing that comes to mind when we think military is hurting the bad guys, dropping bombs on target. However, there is a large and exciting part that is helping people thrive.”
The 721st APS, part of the 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing at Ramstein, and the 76th Air Refueling Squadron from McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, unloaded the KC-10 Extender and helped coordinate the movement onto another cargo aircraft heading to its final location.
According to the Airmen of the 76th ARS, an Air Force Reserve crew and Ramstein Airmen, they had extra motivation once they learned their impact.
“It’s rewarding to know the cargo I am helping move is going to help someone,” said Airman Celeste Trembley, 721st APS ramp service specialist. “It’s also great to work alongside a reservist crew who is as excited as we are to do this job.”
Denton cargo only moves on military aircraft on a space-available status. Many hours of coordination were required both in and out of the United States. Dale Teeter, 721st APS Air Terminal Operations Center duty officer, helped coordinate the event not only to get it to Ramstein but also for the cargo to reach its destination.
“This type of event feels good when it comes together,” Teeter said. “You feel a sense of accomplishment. We spent hours coordinating, making sure we could get this food to people who need it. I am glad I was part of that process.”
No matter the part that they played in processing the Denton cargo, the Airmen of the 721st APS are proud to have had a hand in providing food and hope for people in need, and it is just one of many missions accomplished on the ramps of Ramstein.
