Logistics Airmen take ‘heavy’ pride in their work

While the everyday mission may become mundane to some, Airmen with the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron aerial delivery section have found a creative way to break up the monotony.

A few Airmen decided to get together and paint “heavy boxes,” which are used to simulate heavy drops out the back of C-130’s. A few of the paint jobs include tributes to Sept. 11 and Pearl Harbor, their shop symbol, and more.

“Painting each one of these heavy boxes before rigging them has given us something to take pride in,” said Airman Sarah Hathaway, 435th LRS rigger. “We’ve found a way to showcase the hard work and dedication we put in each day.”

From load masters and crew chiefs with the 37th Airlift Squadron, to wing leadership, the new paint schemes have received some welcome attention.

“It’s obvious the 435th (LRS) aerial delivery riggers take great pride in their work,” said Staff Sgt. Curtis Copland, 37th AS crew chief. “It’s an awesome sight to see all the different tribute-painted heavy boxes falling from the sky. It’s definitely a morale booster.”

Airman Hathaway and Airman 1st Class Jeff Rice took the lead for the project, painting seven different heavy boxes with different themes and tributes.

“I am very proud of this shop and squadron,” said Col. Don Bacon, 435th Air Base Wing commander, during a recent visit to check out the boxes. “I appreciate the team spirit that is so evident in this squadron.”

As a tribute to the 435th ABW, both Airman Rice and Hathaway dedicated one of the heavy boxes to the wing, complete with squadron badges and the wing mascot — the fighting flamingo. The heavy box was unveiled for Colonel Bacon during his visit.

“These heavy boxes show you all have lots of pride in your work. This is what unit pride is all about,” Colonel Bacon said.

As Airman Rice and Airman Hathaway get ready to complete their eighth heavy box, they don’t plan on stopping there.

“We operate with 12 boxes total,” Airman Rice said. “We started doing this because it gave us a sense of pride and ownership. We don’t plan on

stopping until all 12 heavy boxes are complete.”