Total Force team ensures deployment success

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Units banded together in a Total Force effort to complete a Cargo Deployment Function for members of the 927th Air Refueling Wing headed for a rotational deployment.

A CDF, performed by aerial porters, occurs when equipment needed for deployments is palletized, inspected and loaded for transport.

As more than 100 members from the 927th ARW departed, 83,000 pounds of cargo was palletized and shipped.

However, this was not a typical deployment. Equipment from the 6th Air Mobility Wing was tasked to deploy with 927th Airmen. Complicating matters more, MacDill’s runway was under construction requiring aerial support from the 45th Space Wing out of Patrick AFB to assist with the shortened runway.

“This was a unique situation in which an Air Force Reserve Command unit was tasked to deploy with Air Mobility Command equipment,” said Lt. Col. Meredith Seeley, commander of the 927th Logistics Readiness Squadron. “This means active duty personnel supported the reservists by preparing and deploying their own equipment for our mission.”

Once all cargo was palletized, an aircraft was the final piece required for mission completion.

“After a C-5 Galaxy aircraft was assigned from higher headquarters, trucks supplied by us and the Joint Support Communications Element here at MacDill, drove the cargo to Patrick AFB to meet up with the aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Rodolfo Terrazas, NCO in charge of Unit Type Codes management with the 6th LRS.

The 45th Space Wing wasn’t the only unit outside of MacDill that played a crucial role in support of the 927th's mission.

Aerial Porters from the 621st Contingency Response Group out of Joint Base McGuire Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, helped complete a final joint inspection and ensured cargo was ready to deploy and safe for flight.

“It was a perfect example of a culmination of Total Force efforts across multiple agencies including, Tanker Airlift Control Center, the Air Force Reserve Command Force Generation Cell, the 6th, 927th, and our active duty, reservists and civilian partners at Patrick AFB,” praised Seely. “Relying on the capabilities of the Total Force team and leveraging the positive attitudes of all units involved, produced a synergy that overcame multiple obstacles and setbacks. I’m so proud of the relationships that we have built and I look forward to continuing them.”