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30th Aerial Porters compete in AFRC skills tournament

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andrew Caya
  • 914th Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. --  Airmen of the 30th Aerial Port Squadron competed in the first "Port Dawg Challenge" hosted by Air Force Reserve Command at Dobbins Air Force Base, G.A. 25-29 October.

The Port Dawg Challenge is an open-invite event for all Aerial Ports in AFRC. Teams of 6 compete in various events and are scored based on time, accuracy, knowledge, job proficiency as well as fitness.

Last year, 22nd Air Force put on an Aerial Port "Round-Up" for its units. AFRC took notice and decided to put on a similar event for all three Numbered Air Forces," said 30 APS Unit Training Manager Master Sgt. Gregory Eick. "The PDC will be held every 2 years."

The 914th Aerial Porters are acquiring the taste for AFSC competition.

"30 APS competed only once before this in last year's "22nd Air Force Rodeo", said 30th Aerial Porter TSgt Michael Peppers. "[In last year's competition] we came in first in the materials handling equipment, driving Exercise, and it felt great knowing that we are the benchmark in a key part of our career field. This year's competition had a few more events that include load planning, joint inspection and cargo processing. This really challenges our team members in every aspect of the Air Transportation career field."

Although the 30th APS Airmen did not do as well as they hoped in this year's tournament, they demonstrated the qualities needed to be champions for the next challenge.

"The 30th APS was represented by both seasoned and rookie aerial porters. Our performance proved that we work well as a team, we have a positive, can-do attitude and that we can have fun while remaining professional," said Eick. "We did not win any of the events, but we did very well in each one. Other teams have spent over 6 months practicing for the event, and ours did not come together until about a month ago."

That positive attitude the Airmen demonstrated in Dobbins didn't stay in there. 30th APS Airmen are more than ready to take on future challenges.

"The Port Dawg Challenge is a big deal to us, we already have been working out a team for the next competition and I'm sure it will only gain more and more interest every year," said Peppers."