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505th Command and Control Wing News

515th AMOW, 734th AMS lead C-5M training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emily Saxton
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs

The 734th Air Mobility Squadron facilitated a C-5M Super Galaxy Ground Trainer, July 11-20, 2022 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

The U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy arrived on July 11, 2022 with assigned personnel from the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, in order for members assigned at Andersen AFB to conduct the training. Since there are no C-5 aircraft permanently assigned to the installation, this training provides a chance for Air Mobility Command Airmen assigned to the 734th AMS to train and earn certifications for essential skills needed to execute C-5 missions.

For other Airmen on Guam, the ground trainer is an opportunity to train on skills outside of their traditional air force specialty code. Training Airmen outside of their original career field serves to support Agile Combat Employment in the Indo-Pacific and embrace the Multi-Capable Airmen concept.

“This training brings the host wing and tenant units together to utilize an asset where we can perform numerous tasks spanning multiple career fields,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Boyle, an aircraft maintenance section chief assigned to the 734 AMS. “Preparing with a loaned asset provides more realism than would generally be afforded.”

Maintainers from the 734 AMS and several units within the 36th Wing, including the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters and various personnel with the 36th Maintenance Group are conducted training such as aircraft towing, jacking and AFSC specific training. A team of instructors from the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, led the training.

The 515 AMOW conducts C-5 Ground Trainers quarterly at its air mobility squadrons to ensure that aircraft maintainers have the skills and certifications needed to keep aircraft moving throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Aerial porters, or “Port Dawgs” also use the events as opportunities to train. The 734 AMS aerial port is the hub for all cargo movements in and out of Andersen AFB.

“The 734 AMS is crucial to the reception and redeployment of assets through the Indo-Pacific AOR,” said Boyle.

Members from the 36 WG, 36 MXG and the 734 AMS have teamed up to train and qualify members as multi-capable Airmen. During this training, Airmen not specifically assigned to the C-5 received training and familiarization of the systems and capabilities of the aircraft.

“This training allows the Forward Edge to stay primed and ready for countless situations,” said Boyle.