UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

EXPEDITIONARY WARFARE TRAINING GROUP, PACIFIC

N571 DEPARTMENT
3423 GUADALCANAL ROAD
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92155-5099

LESSON PLAN

ARRIVAL AIRFIELD OPERATIONS

MPF 16

MARITIME PREPOSITIONING FORCE (MPF) STAFF PLANNING

N30L8QLM

REVISED 07/01/2008

APPROVED BY _______________________ DATE ______________________

 MPF 16

(SLIDE 1)

INTRODUCTION (3 MIN)

1. GAIN ATTENTION. None

2. OVERVIEW. Good morning/afternoon my name is ___________. Your next period of

instruction will be on arrival airfield operations.

(SLIDE 2)

The purpose of this period of instruction is to provide you with information on

the aviation assets that are use to support MPF operations, as well as,
information on arrival airfield operations.

(SLIDE 3)

I will do this by covering military and commercial aircraft used to support MPF
operations; roles and responsibilities of the Arrival Airfield Control Group
(AACG), the Contingency Response Element (CRE), and Airfield Control Officer.

(SLIDE 4)

Here are the references for this lesson.

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES (LESSON PURPOSE)

a. TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

(1) With the aid of references, discuss the role of aviation in

conducting an MPF operation.

b. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

(1) With the aid of references, discuss the types of tactical and
commercial aircraft used in MPF operations.

(2) With the aid of references, explain the roles and responsibilities
of the organizations operating the Arrival Airfield.

INSTRUCTOR NOTE. Take a minute to read over your TLOs and ELOs. Once everyone
looks up I will know when to begin.

4. METHOD/MEDIA. This lesson will be taught using the informal lecture

method with the aid of a power point presentation.

INSTRUCTOR NOTE. Explain Instructional Forms to the students.

5. EVALUATION. You will be evaluated on this material during the practical

application brief on Training Day 5, at ____ in Bldg ____ Rm. ____.

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6. SAFETY/CEASE TRAINING (CT) BRIEF. There is no safety or cease training brief

associated with this lesson.

TRANSITION. Are there any questions about what will be covered, how it will be
covered, and how you will be evaluated? Good, now let’s beginning by discussing
the aviation assets used to support MPF operations.
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(SLIDE 5)

BODY (45 MIN)

1. AVIATION ASSETS. (10 Min)

a. The types of aviation assets used to support an MPF operation fall into two
categories- military/tactical and commercial. The military aviation assests are
provided by Air Mobility Command (AMC) via U.S. Transportation Command
(USTRANSCOM). These military assets provide the strategic lift needed to move
MAGTF and NSE personnel and equipment into the Area of Operations (AO). The
commercial aviations assets are provided by various private company such as
American Airlines, United Airlines, UPS, and DHL who participate in the Civil
Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). Let’s first take a look at the military aircraft that
are used.

(SLIDE 6)

(1) AMC Aircraft

(a) C-5 Galaxy. The C-5 is one of the largest aircraft in the world
and the largest airlifter in the Air Force inventory.

(SLIDE 7)

The C-5 can carry more than any other airlifter. It has the ability to carry 36
standard pallets and up to 81 troops simultaneously. It is an inter-theater
strategic lift asset that was designed to carry outsized and overweight cargo to
any theater of combat on the globe. What do I mean by outsized and overweight?
Outsized cargo is anything that is too large for palletization or
containerization. Overweight cargo is anything that exceeds 10,000lbs. An
example of outsized cargo is a riverine craft. This aircraft has a drive-through
capability, whereby the nose and tail-end of the aircraft can raise up for easy
loading.

(SLIDE 8)

During a normal contingency the aircraft is configured to carry up to 73

passengers. If need, the cargo compartment can be configured to seat to 340
passengers during over-land flights and 329 passengers over-water; however, this
is not considered to be an effective use of the aircraft because its main
purpose to move outsized and overweight cargo.

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(SLIDE 9)

Here some more photos of the aircraft.

(SLIDES 10 & 11)

(b) C-17 Globemaster III. The C-17, which replaced the C-141, is the
newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. It is a heavy
to medium lift aircraft capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all
types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the
deployment area. The aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions
and can also transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical
evacuations when required. The design of the aircraft allows it to operate
through small, austere airfields. The C-17 can take off and land on runways as
short as 3,500 feet (1,064 meters) and only 90 feet wide (27.4 meters).

(SLIDES 12

Next we will talk about the C-130 Hercules…. The only Blue Angel Aircraft!
Nickname: “Fat Albert”

(SLIDES 13)

(c) C-130 Hercules. The C-130 is a highly versatile aircraft that

provides intra-theater movement support, such as tactical air-drops and medical
evacuations (MEDEVACs). Unlike the two previously discussed aircraft it can use
rough or dirt runways for take-offs and landings which allows the aircraft to
operate in austere environments.

(SLIDE 14)

It can transport 30 combat loaded troops or up to regular 90 passenger. Six 463L

pallets can be loaded onto the aicraft.

(SLIDES 15)

Next we will discuss the KC-10 Extender. What do you think this is used for in
MPF Operations?
A) Flight Ferry– Aerial refueling for F-16, C-130, EA-6B Prowler, Harrier

(SLIDES 16)

(d) KC-10 Extender. The KC-10 is a dual purpose aircraft. It is not

only capable of carrying out its primary mission as an aerial refueler but can
transport passengers and cargo cargo.

(SLIDES 17)

You can load up to 22 pallets or configure the cabin to seat 65 passengers.

Passengers and/or cargo would be located on the upper deck, while fuel would be
stored in the lower compartments of the fuselage.

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(SLIDES 18 & 19)

(e) KC-135 Stratotanker. KC-135 provides the core aerial refueling

capability for the United States Air Force. It also provides aerial refueling
support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The KC-
135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient
support pallets during aeromedical evacuations.

(SLIDE 20)

INTERIM TRANSITION: Are there any questions about the military aircraft that
were just discussed? Let’s now talk about the CRAF program and the commercial
aircraft that are likely to be used to support an MPF operation.
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(SLIDES 21 & 22)

(2) CIVIL RESERVE AIR FLEET (5 Min)

The CRAF plays a vital role in getting our forces where they need to be when a
crisis or contingency occurs. The MPF MEB consists of approximately 15,000
Marines and roughly 1,000 NSE personnel and there is not enought U.S. military
strategic airlift to transport all of these people and their gear in a timely
manner. Because of the shortfall, the DoD created the CRAF. The CRAF is a
voluntary program of cooperation between the the U.S. government and U.S.
private companies, such as UPS, DHL, and United Airlines, that have commercial
aviation assets. Through this program, the Department of Defense (DoD) is
guaranteed availability of commercial transportation in wartime in exchange for
DoD cargo and passenger contracts in peacetime. The CRAF program has three
stages or levels of activation.

(SLIDE 23)

(a) Stages of Activation. The CRAF has three stages of activation.

(1) Stage I – For a minor contingency, the commander of USTRANSCOM

has the authority, with approval from the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF), to call
up 81 aircraft in 24 hours.

(2) Stage II – For a major contingency, the SECDEF can authorize

270 aircraft in 24 hours.

(3) Stage III – This occurs only after the President or Congress
declares a national emergency and full mobilization is required. The SECDEF
issues the order and 729 aircraft become available within 48 hours.

(SLIDE 24)

INSTRUCTOR NOTE. Play video clip of rough landing.

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(SLIDE 25)

(b) Types of aircraft. Let’s take a look at some the commercial aircraft
that are apart of the CRAF program.

(SLIDE 26)

(1) Boeing B-747. This aircraft is primarily used for transporting

passengers; however, it can load up to 37 pallets. It can carry up to 461
personnel.

(SLIDE 27)

(2) Lockhead L-1011. This aircraft can transport up to 205

passengers and their baggage; however, it can not carry palletized cargo.

(SLIDE 28)

(3) DC-10. Comes in either a passenger or cargo variant. The

passenger variant is capable of transporting 380 passengers, and the cargo
variant can carry up to 30 pallets.

(SLIDE 29)

(4) MD-11. Comes in either a passenger or cargo variant. The

passenger variant is capable of transporting 320 passengers, and the cargo
variant can carry up to 35 pallets.

(SLIDE 30)

(5) DC-8. Comes in either a passenger or cargo variant. The

passenger variant is capable of transporting 165 to 219 passengers, and the
cargo variant can carry up to 13-18 pallets.

(SLIDE 31)

(6) B-707. Comes in either a cargo or passenger variant. It can

tranport up to 188 passengers or 13 pallets.

(SLIDE 32)

(7) B-767. This aircraft can transport 152 to 207 passengers. No

palletized cargo.

(SLIDE 33)

(c) It was during Desert Storm/Shield when the CRAF was first activated.
Commercial aircraft conducted over 14,000 missions, transporting 477,000
passengers and nearly 500,000 tons of cargo. For planning puposes let’s go over
how many sorties it will take to transport a MPF MEB.

(SLIDE 34)

(d) The Center for Naval Analysis study determined that it would take 332
sorties to transport an MPF MEB. The C-141 has been replaced by the C-17, which
can carry twice as much cargo; however, 332 sorties is still used as the

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planning factor because there is no new study which factors in the aircraft
change.

(SLIDE 35)

TRANSITION: We have just covered the types of military and CRAF aircraft used to
support MPF operations. Are there any questions? Question: Which AMC aircraft
provides greatest amount of airlift? Answer: C-5.

(SLIDE 36)

Let’s now discuss the organizations that operate the arrival airfield.
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(SLIDE 37)

2. ARRIVAL AIRFIELD ORGANIZATIONS (15 Min)

a. What type of aircraft might fly into the arrival airfield? Both
military and commercial strategic lift aircraft, right? AMC is responsible for
tracking, managing, and receiving these aircraft. AMC does this through the use
of their Global Mobility Forces. The term Global Mobility Forces (GMFs)
describes any AMC resources and operations involved in mobile C2, operational
management, and Contingency Support. Let’s discuss the GMF you are most likely
to see during an MPF operation.

(1) Contingency Response Element (CRE). The CRE is a temporary deployed

organization established at deployed locations where air mobility operational
support is non-existent or insufficient. The CRE provides continuous on-site
management of AMC airfield operations including command and control of military
and civilian aircraft, aerial port services, maintenance, security, weather, and
intelligence -- those critical elements needed to ensure safe, efficient air
field operations for all tanker and airlift operations. The CRE is tasked
organized and is composed of mission support elements and an AMC Quick Reaction
Force for mobility operations on both planned and short notice missions. Its
size and composition is missin dependent.
The CRE will coordinate with the SLRP on information about the airfield, and
will advise the Arrival Airfield Control Group (AACG) of any changes in aircraft
scheduling.

(SLIDE 38)

b. Arrival Airfield Control Group (AACG). The AACG is a tasked organized unit
comprised of personnel from the Landing Forces Support Party (LFSP) of the
Marine Logistics Group (MLG), and is structured and manned to provide 24 hour
continuous operational support. The AACG will deploy as part of the Advance
Party in order to receive airlifted units. Some of the functions of the AACG are
to assemble and inspect planeloads for completeness; provide minor fuel,
maintenance and messing

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(SLIDE 39)

C. Airfield Coordination Officer (ACO). The ACO, which should be a member of

the SLRP, is designated by the MAGTF commander under the cognizance of the
Aviation Combat Element (ACE) commander. The ACO plays a vital role in
establishing the arrival airfield.

(SLIDE 40)

He or she not only serves as the single point of contact for host nation
support support (HNS) and other support peculiar to aviation operations, but is
also responsible for coordinating the following: Ramp allocations and aircraft
parking; Air Traffic Control (ATC); Fuel storage and dispensing; Ramp allocation
and aircraft parking; Non-AMC organic support identified by the CRE; Crash fire
rescue; allocation of facilities and real estate; Flight clearance; Airfield
improvements; Navigational aids; Arresting gear; and Airfield lighting.

(SLIDE 41)

d. This diagram shows the command relationships and coordination between the
organizations.

(SLIDE 42)

INTERIM TRANSITION: We have just covered the key organization at the arrival
airfield. Are there any questions? Question: Which organization is comprised of
LFSP personnel? Answer: AACG. Let’s now talk about arrival airfield operations.
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(SLIDE 43)

2. ARRIVAL AIRFIELD OPERATIONS (5 Min)

There are two distinct areas of responsibilities at the arrival airfield. They
are the Off-load ramp area and Holding area.

(SLIDE 44)

a. Off-load ramp area. The off-load ramp area is where air traffic control,
aircraft parking, and off-load operations take place. The CRE is responsible for
the activities in this area. The CRE provides and operates the material handling
equipment (MHE) and special off-loading equipment for removing equipment and
passengers from both military and commercial aircraft. CRE will also coordinate
with the AACG on establishing a release point, the location where AACG personnel
take control of personnel and equipment off-loaded by the CRE.

(SLIDE 45)

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b. Holding Area. The second area is the holding area. The purpose of the
holding area is to receive and process plane loads for release to the owning
unit. This area is controlled by the AACG and may even be subdivided into an
inspection and assembly area and a holding area.

(SLIDE 46)

c. This slide shows the different areas at an arrival airfield. The

designation of the off-load ramps and holding areas will be accomplished jointly
by the CRE and AACG.

(SLIDE 47)

d. Planning Considerations. (5 Min)

(1) Holding areas should be established sufficiently clear of the off-load

ramps to avoid congestion and to facilitate the loading and off-loading of
passengers and equipment. There should be facilities to accommodate medical
support and messing if required. Facilities should also be established to for
AACG and CRE personnel their C2, communications, and billeting and messing
needs.

(SLIDE 48)

(2) To keep good accountability of personnel, deploying units should organize

plane teams and these teams should stay together until the teams are reunited
with their parent organizations.

(3) Airfield Security. Security should always be included in the plans.

(4) Loading and Off-loading Equipment. Another important planning

consideration is having sufficient material handling equipment (MHE), such as
forklifts, and any specialized equipment for loading and off-loading the
aircraft.

(SLIDE 49)

(a) Some of the specialized equipment you are likely to see at the
airfield are 463L pallets; tactical loaders (AKA K-loaders); Wilson and cochran;
and staircases.

(SLIDE 50)

(b) 463L pallets. The 463L pallet is the primary means in which units
will load their cargo onto an aircraft. Aircraft cabins and cargo bays have
metal rollers installed on the decks which allow these pallets to be easily
positioned onto the aircraft. If the unit’s cargo is too large for one pallet
(i.e. an aircraft engine) two or more pallets can be married up to accommodate
the cargo.

(SLIDE 51)

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(C) K-Loader. K-Loaders are use to load 463L pallets on the aircraft.
They range from 25,000lbs to 60,000lbs capacity.

(SLIDE 52)

(d) Cochran/Wilson Loaders. Cochran and Wilson Loaders are elevator type
loaders which allow for loading containerized cargo and small vehicles.

(SLIDE 53)

(e) Stairways. Stairways are used for the off-loading of passengers.

(SLIDE 54)

TRANSITION: Are there any questions about arrival airfield operations? Question:
What is the purpose for establishing plane teams? Why should the off-load ramp
and holding area be separated? Answer: Maintain accountability of personnel.

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(SLIDE 55)

SUMMARY (2 MIN)

1. During this period of instruction we covered the aviation assets use to

support MPF operations, the organizations that operate the airfield at the
different areas, and some of the specialized equipment need to load and off-load
the aircraft. With this information, I am confident that you will be able to
complete the practical application on training day ____. At this time, those
students with the Instructional Rating Forms please fill them out and turn them
in at the back of the classroom. You may now take a 10-minute break.

REFERENCES

1. MCWP 3-32/NTTP 3-02.3, Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) Operations.

2. DOD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation, Part III.

3. ACMCP 55-41, Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) Load Planning Guide.

4. AMCP 36-1, Air Mobility Command Affiliation Program.

5. FM 55-15, Transportation Reference Data.

ATTACHMENTS

1. None

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