LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Eleven members of the 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron Traffic Management Office got hands on training in preparation for annual tour and developing material handling equipment skills culminating in a timed competition during the April unit training assembly.
The MHE training course provided refresher training for 10 Airmen and initial training for one prior to their upcoming annual tour where the skills they learned will be put to use.
The training helps to ensure the effective and safe use of the equipment TMO utilizes to supply the War Fighter with mission critical assets and involved 3 pieces of MHE; the pallet jack, the 6K Forklift, and the 10K Forklift.
For the more seasoned operators, a timed course was set-up to simulate the confined spaces and obstacles often found in a typical TMO warehouse setting. After the Rules of Engagement were established and safety brief was administered, the contest began. The 11 eager participants had to successfully pick-up a pallet from a stack without knocking it over, navigate the obstacle course, and return the pallet to the stack. Time penalties were issued for contacting cones and operational errors such as not sounding the horn before backing up.
During the fierce competition, Senior Airman Michelle Busse, 944 LRS TMO apprentice, bested Master Sgt. Logan Goldschmidt, 944 LRS TMO craftsman, by one second. Three short seconds later, Airman First Class Adam Porter, 944 LRS TMO apprentice, placed third.
According to Goldshmidt, all the participants displayed great attitudes by their willingness to listen and learn which made the training an overall success.
The 944 LRS TMO is now at 100 percent MHE mission readiness.