C-130 Loadmaster?

[Mike LLC]

Hello,

I'm interested in enlisting in the Air National Guard. Specifically, I'm interested in joining a C-130 unit. There are several units hiring for the position of "Loadmaster." This job sounds absolutlely awesome to get as I could actually be an enlisted aircrewman. The reason I'm posting is to see if anyone can offer any insight as to what the job and the training are like. Thanks for your time.

Note: I made a similar post like this one and it was deleted when the database crashed. Thanks to "B52GUNNER" for your input.

- Mike.

 

[MOOSE]

Mike,

Loadmaster is one of the best enlisted career fields in the Air Force/Air Guard. I would recommend it to anyone interested in serving their country and flying/travel.

I'll start by saying I am not a loadmaster, but as an airlift pilot I deal with them every day. Most are extremely motivated about their job and just as professional. As with any career, there are negatives (living in tents with others in some not so great locations where they do not allow booze, dragging about three times as much "luggage" as you would normally, practicing for chemical warfare, and box lunches to name a few). However, the good still far outweigh the bad, in my opinion. There is no other job I can think of where you could transport a critically ill infant to a location where medical treatment is one day, then haul the President's limousine or Secret Service detail the next week. You would have the opportunity to see places, most people only read about, if they even do that.

As a loadmaster you would be responsible for the proper loading and unloading of cargo, handling of passengers, interaction with medical crews, and possibly the airdrop of personnel and their equipment. The cargo could range from a small box hand carried on to the aircraft, to pallets of cargo weighing thousands of pounds. You would be responsible for ensuring whatever is on board the aircraft is properly restrained so it doesn't shift while the aircraft is in motion. The weight and center-of-gravity calculations of the aircraft are also computed by the loadmaster. You would also have to know what kind of hazardous material can be carried with other cargo and/or passengers, as well as the required paperwork to transfer the cargo and clear customs when appropriate. Loadmasters are trained to handle a variety of emergency situations, and are critical members of the crew in those situations. They are also trained to operate in a combat environment, using tactics and procedures to perform their wartime mission. (If you research it a little, you'll see the C-130 has been the workhorse for combat airlift for decades, and will probably remain so as long as it is in the inventory.)

The active duty C-130 schoolhouse is at Little Rock AFB, AR. I'm fairly certain the Guard sends their members there for training too. The training there would consist of academics and flying training with a flight evaluation for the qualifications you are to hold. You would also have to be trained on the physiological effects of flight (altitude chamber). After initial qualification, you will maintain your proficiency by accomplishing continuation training at your unit. Once you have enough experience and you're ready, you would be upgraded to Instructor Loadmaster responsible for training other loadmasters who are non-current, or need additional training. The next step would be Evaluator Loadmaster, administering evaluations to other loadmasters ensuring they are adequately trained to perform their duties.

Best of luck in your pursuits.

MOOSE

 

[sbav8r]

Do you have to be enlisted for awhile to be considered for loadmaster position? I think it might be the same as FE, where you have to have a few years experience before being eligible. Can anyone let me know if this is not the case?

 

[Hootie9750]

Thats not the case.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

....and if they like you and you are eligible, it's a great foot in the door for a UPT slot.

 

[Mike LLC]

Thanks everyone for your input. I recently talked to a recruiter for the C-130 unit in Ft Worth Texas. I'm going over there for a visit next month. If anyone else has some input to add, I'd still appreciate it.

- Mike.

 

[Kaman]

Wheels up, Heels up...The motto of the loadmaster.

In other words most of your duties are related to loading/unloading cargo, pax, etc...However, lodmasters are also employed as scanners during critical phases of flight; air-to-air refueling, low-level/TERF and aerial drops. It looks like a relatively easy job, but there is actually quite a bit more to it than my trite introduction. However, once the cargo is loaded and you are transiting thats pretty much accurate.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead
(Former loadmaster wannabe, but joined "Uncle Sam's canoe club")