U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brock Harrell, 5th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, secures a simulated air training bundle before a flight at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 17, 2012. Simulated airdrop training bundles were dropped during the flight to help Harrell train to unload cargo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brock Harrell, 5th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, harnesses a bundle before a flight at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 17, 2012. Simulated airdrop training bundles were dropped during the flight to help Harrell train to unload cargo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Phillip Blackford, 551st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster instructor, assists Tech. Sgt. Brock Harrell, 5th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, with securing pallets before a flight at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 17, 2012. Simulated airdrop training bundles were dropped during the flight to help Harrell train to unload cargo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Xavier Lockley).
by Senior Airman Jette Carr
27th Special Operatinos Wing Public Affairs
7/20/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- A reservist from Duke Field, Fla., Tech. Sgt. Brock Harrell, 5th Special Operations Squadron, trained as a loadmaster with instructor Tech. Sgt. Phillip Blackford, 551st Special Operations Squadron, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 17, 2012.
Air Commandos from the 318th Special Operations Squadron flew the pair for an advanced qualifications flight.
"This was his sixth out of nine flights total," said Blackford of Harrell. "On this flight his required performance level included loading and rigging airdrop bundles and properly executing the airdrop sortie. We also covered some aircraft limitations and basic knowledge prior to the flight."
The 551 SOS keeps Airmen up to date on their qualifications by constantly performing training flights to teach Air Commandos key points of their job and give them hands-on practice.
"We are glad to help other squadrons within the Air Force Special Operations Command with training aviators - enabling them to accomplish the mission," said Harrell.
