Team work prevails as members of the 80th Aerial Port Squadron compete in the 25K loader event during the Air Force Reserve Command Port Dawg Challenge at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., June 19-21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)
Senior Airman Wayne Rose, of the 35th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, guards his team’s Dawg bone from would-be “thieves” on other teams. This was one of many challenges that Port Dawg teams face at this biennium’s Port Dawg Challenge June 19-21 at Dobbins ARB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Gaston)
Senior Airman Daniel Taylor, of the 80th Aerial Port Squadron, checks for discrepancies with potential cargo, during a cargo inspection challenge at this year’s Port Dawg Challenge June 20 at Dobbins ARB. Master Sgt. Matthew Russell, of the 27th APS from Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station observes Taylor. Teams compete in various challenges to showcase their capabilities as aerial porters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Gaston)
Tech. Sgt. Joseph Saldivar, of the 80th Aerial Port Squadron, checks over regulations regarding cargo standards. Teams compete in various challenges to showcase their capabilities as aerial porters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Gaston)
Nineteen teams representing some of the Air Force Reserve Command's Aerial Port Squadrons, or "Port Dawgs," are going toe-to-toe June 19-21 in this biennium's "Port Dawg Challenge" at the Transportation Proficiency Center, here. Teams compete in various challenges to showcase their capabilities as aerial porters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Gaston)
Competitors from the 80th Aerial Port Squadron scramble to take their positions as they begin the 25K event at Port Dawg Competition held at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. June 19-21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)
Members of the 80th Aerial Port Squadron compete in the 25K loader event during the Air Force Reserve Command Port Dawg Challenge at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., June 19-21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)
Team work prevails as members of the 80th Aerial Port Squadron compete in the 25K loader event during the Air Force Reserve Command Port Dawg Challenge at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., June 19-21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)
by Senior Airman ELizabeth Gaston
94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
6/20/2012 - DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Nineteen teams representing some of the Air Force Reserve Command's Aerial Port Squadrons, or "Port Dawgs," are going toe-to-toe June 19-21 in this biennium's "Port Dawg Challenge" at the Transportation Proficiency Center, here.
Dobbins Air Reserve Base is represented by Tech. Sgt. Ray Lewis, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Saldivar and Senior Airman Daniel Taylor, all of the 80th Aerial Port Squadron.
"We are here to win the Port Dawg Challenge," said Lewis. "We have the home court advantage and we have trained for this - 80th APS all the way!"
How these Airmen stack up against other Port Dawgs from across the country, including defending champions, 27th APS from Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, depend on their performance in such events as the Halverson truck driving and loading, cargo planning, inspection and loading, forklift obstacle course and Fit to Fight challenges.
The Port Dawn Challenge was created to enhance and maintain the camaraderie, esprit de corps and prestige of aerial port Airmen while promoting professionalism, leadership, training and communication between "Port Dawgs."
This year, each Port Dawg team has an extra large Dawg bone they must protect from the opposing teams. Unfortunately, the 80th APS has lost their bone, so they will be given the opportunity to "wow" the crowd by performing a skit during the last day of the competition, according to Master Sgt. Charles Gulledge, Port Dawg first sergeant.
"It's all in good, morale-building fun," said Gulledge. "This competition helps focus on the team, or wingman, concept. The Air Force strives to build strong teams. The 80th is a strong team and looks like they're doing well. I'd put our team up against any of these others, any day."
