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Globetrotters
By FLGOFF Eamon Hamilton
Volume 49, No. 15, August 23, 2007 |
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WELCOME ABOARD: 36SQN loadmaster SGT Julie Snell is thrilled to be among the first to be trained up on the C-17.
Photo by LAC Scott Woodward |
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CHALLENGE: New 36SQN loadmaster SGT David Sheen.
Photo by LAC Scott Woodward |
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The numbers are continuing to swell at 36SQN, as the unit welcomes new members to the Air Force’s latest platform.
Another group of loadmasters have graduated onto the C-17 Globemaster, with more in the training pipeline.
WOFFs Katrina Salvesen and Michael Wilson, and SGTs Paula Ivanovic, Julie Snell, David Sheen and Craig Holz all graduated as loadmasters onto the C-17 in a ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley Sergeants’ Mess recently.
Commander Air Lift Group AIRCDRE Jack Plenty, OC 86WG GPCAPT John McGarry and Director C-17 Transition Team GPCAPT Gary Martin attended the event.
Both WOFF Salvesen and SGT Ivanovic were loadmasters on board 36SQN’s C-130Hs, while the others are ‘ab initio’ – never having plied the loadmaster trade before.
The C-17 features a quantum advance for the loadmaster.
It has a dedicated loadmaster station at the head of the cargo compartment, allowing full control of load- handling systems and aerial delivery – features that will become fully utilised as the C-17s begin their role expansion next year.
Loadmasters begin their training with 285SQN at RAAF Base Richmond.
For SGT David Sheen, changing mustering took him from being a supplier in air movements to the ‘other side’ as a loadmaster.
“Working closely with loadmasters in air movements, I found myself attracted to the demands and rewards of the job,” SGT Sheen said.
“I joined the Air Force to travel, and becoming aircrew offered that in abundance. The fact that every mission has a tangible outcome is the greatest reward [for me].
“Being offered the C-17 loadmaster position was a huge bonus, and hopefully the natural career progression will ensure I have an opportunity to also fly on the C-130J, KC-30B and Caribou replacement.”
The most challenging aspect of loadmaster training for SGT Sheen was the exchange posting at the USAF C-17 crew training school with the 97th Air Mobility Wing.
“It’s a three-month course at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma,” he said.
“It’s a massive operation with stringent timelines and objectives, and there is a huge amount of information to be digested in a very short time.”
SGT Sheen has already visited Japan and Malaysia on C-17 support missions for the ADF.
“This task was the first move of Australian troops overseas by the Australian C-17,” he said.
“We facilitated the changeover of 90-odd members of the Rifle Company Butterworth and all of their kit.”
SGT Julie ESnell was a clerk.
“I remustered to loadmaster to be challenged, to be a part of a job where parameters are constantly changing, and thinking outside the square is essential,” she said.
“I was on deployment in 2003 with the C-130Hs, and I got a first-hand view of the various roles that the loadmaster fulfils and the demands placed on all aircrew alike, and I could only dream that I would one day be a part of it.
“So, to not only be selected for loadmaster, but for the newest platform that we have is a huge honour.” |
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