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U.S. Airmen, Marines in Okinawa perform joint inspection

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Myles Meza, 733rd Air Mobility Squadron joint inspection manager, prepares paperwork for a joint inspection April 7, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. This paperwork ensured the cargo to be inspected was properly logged. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lynette M. Rolen)

U.S. Airmen, Marines in Okinawa perform joint inspection

U.S. Marine Corps Warrant Officer Matthew Langlois, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division mobility officer, discusses cargo specifications with members of a joint inspection team April 7, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Although Marine and Air Force load rules and regulations differ, the team was able to work together and carry out the inspection. Prior to going on Air Force aircraft, the inspection needs to take place to ensure the cargo is at Air Force standards. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lynette M. Rolen)

U.S. Airmen, Marines in Okinawa perform joint inspection

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lincy Thomas, 733rd Air Mobility Squadron joint inspection program manager and shift supervisor of aircraft services, inspects cargo during a joint inspection April 7, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. During this joint inspection, the Marines prepared their cargo for embarkation so the Air Force could inspect it before it went on Air Force aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lynette M. Rolen)

U.S. Airmen, Marines in Okinawa perform joint inspection

Published April 11, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Lynette M. Rolen
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airmen from the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron worked with Marines from the 4th Marine regiment, 3rd Marine division, for a joint inspection April 7.

This joint inspection of cargo was in support of Marine forces in Australia as part of Marine Regiment Rotational Force Darwin.

"We prepared the cargo for embarkation to get onto the C-17s," said U.S. Marine Corps Warrant Officer Matthew Langlois, 4th Marine regiment, 3rd Marine division mobility officer. "Then we not only cleaned and packed up the stuff that is inside the containers, but also got the containers ready to be put on the aircraft to fly down there so it can get through the agricultural inspections down in Australia and also pass the Air Force standards to get on the aircraft."

The Marines prepared the cargo in support of their forces while the Air Force inspected the cargo since Air Force aircraft would be used to transport it.

"We ensure the safety of the flight," said Staff Sgt. Lincy Thomas, 733rd Air Mobility Squadron joint inspection program manager and shift supervisor of aircraft services. "We're inspecting to make sure they package and palletize all of the cargo that goes on this aircraft. We make sure that it is air-worthy so that nothing should happen during the flight."

This JI proved to be a learning experience for both Marine and Air Force service members.

"We have learned the different ways of ensuring that we are compliant with how the aircraft have to be loaded with all of their rules and regulations to make sure that the aircraft is safe," said Langlois.

Load rules and regulations are different for both branches, but the members of this particular JI team were able to learn from each other about their work.

"I enjoy working with other services because we learn so much from each other," said Thomas. "It's not going to be the last Marine movement; for the rest of our careers, we're always going to be working with each other. It's our opportunity to learn from each other and what we need to do to make this process better. It's like two different worlds colliding into one."