Loadmasters in flight

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, July 17 at Cannon Air Force Base.

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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brock Harrell, 5th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, secures a simulated air training bundle before a flight July 17 at Cannon Air Force Base. Simulated airdrop training bundles were dropped during the flight to help Harrell train to unload cargo.

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.