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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   Staff Sgt. Shannon Cooledge, an Aircraft Loadmaster, describes her job at the 143d Airlift Wing, Quonset, R.I. Aircraft.  Loadmasters are responsible for properly loading, securing and escorting cargo and passengers before any flight. (Air National Guard video by Staff Sgt. John Vannucci and Airman First Class Brittni Capozzi)
                
                
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        U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mario Linton, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, left, and Senior Airman Robert Kucholtz, 37th AS loadmaster, give a thumbs up to the 37th AS pilots of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during exercise Agile Spirit 21.U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mario Linton, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, left, and Senior Airman Robert Kucholtz, 37th AS loadmaster, give a thumbs up to the 37th AS pilots of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during exercise Agile Spirit 21 at Tbilisi, Georgia, July 27, 2021. Linton and Kucholtz showed their enthusiasm after successful navigation of Georgian airspace. Agile Spirit 2021 is a joint, multinational exercise co-led by the Georgian Defense Forces and U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Agile Spirit enhances U.S., Georgian, allied and partner forces' lethality, interoperability and readiness in a realistic training environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Milton Hamilton)
                
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        Air National Guard Senior Airman James Farless, a loadmaster from the 143d Airlift Wing, speaks into his headset, over a drop zone in Rhode Island, April 7, 2021. Aircrew from the 143 AW and U.S. Special Operations Forces partnered to perform high-altitude low-opening parachute jumps. Operating aircraft airdrop systems and supervising heavy equipment, CDS-type cargo, and paratroopers exiting the aircraft are critical functions of a loadmaster.Air National Guard Senior Airman James Farless, a loadmaster from the 143d Airlift Wing, speaks into his headset, over a drop zone in Rhode Island, April 7, 2021. Aircrew from the 143 AW and U.S. Special Operations Forces partnered to perform high-altitude low-opening parachute jumps. Operating aircraft airdrop systems and supervising heavy equipment, CDS-type cargo, and paratroopers exiting the aircraft are critical functions of a loadmaster. (Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Deirdre Salvas)
                
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 Aircraft Loadmaster - 1A2X1**Mission**
Loadmasters perform their duties during extensive trips to all areas of the world. They are responsible for supervising the loading and unloading of cargo, vehicles and people on a variety of aircraft. A loadmaster's duties include mathematically preplanning the correct placement of the load on the airplane, providing passenger comfort and safety, securing cargo and taking part in airdrop operations. Loadmasters are on flying status as an aircrew member and are required to fly as part of the job.**Qualifications**
Those interested in becoming an aircraft loadmaster must meet certain eligibility criteria. Candidates must be a high school graduate or equivalent, earn a general score of at least 57 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and able to lift 70 pounds or more. Candidates must also meet the qualifications for aviation service according to AFI 11-402, *Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Badges.*U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Travis Dulworth, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, secures parachute rigging after the final airdrop was made during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Loadmasters maintain a safe and secure environment in the back of the aircraft while pilots in the cockpit focus on flying.U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Travis Dulworth, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, secures parachute rigging after the final airdrop was made during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Loadmasters maintain a safe and secure environment in the back of the aircraft while pilots in the cockpit focus on flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)
            
            
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    U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Douglas Benton, a loadmaster with the 187th Airlift Squadron, stands in the back of a C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 153d Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard as part of Exercise Southern Strike at the Mississippi National Guard’s Combat Readiness Training Center Gulfport, Miss., April 22, 2021. Southern Strike is an annual training exercise hosted by the Mississippi National Guard to increase combat readiness across all branches of the U.S. Military. (Temporary unmasking for service members is due to mission requirements.)U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Douglas Benton, a loadmaster with the 187th Airlift Squadron, stands in the back of a C-130 Hercules aircraft assigned to the 153d Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard as part of Exercise Southern Strike at the Mississippi National Guard’s Combat Readiness Training Center Gulfport, Miss., April 22, 2021. Southern Strike is an annual training exercise hosted by the Mississippi National Guard to increase combat readiness across all branches of the U.S. Military. (Temporary unmasking for service members is due to mission requirements.) (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jon Alderman)
            
            
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    A U.S. Air Force loadmaster assigned to the 67th Special Operations Squadron, 352nd Special Operations Wing, prepares for a  Forward Area Refueling Point at RAF Mildenhall, Sept. 22, 2021. FARP training prepares Airmen to effectively refuel aircraft in austere locations when air-to-air refueling is not possible or when fueling stations are not accessible.A U.S. Air Force loadmaster assigned to the 67th Special Operations Squadron, 352nd Special Operations Wing, prepares for a  Forward Area Refueling Point at RAF Mildenhall, Sept. 22, 2021. FARP training prepares Airmen to effectively refuel aircraft in austere locations when air-to-air refueling is not possible or when fueling stations are not accessible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Nelson)
            
            
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**Training**
To become an aircraft loadmaster, individuals will undergo several technical training courses before being assigned to their first duty station. These courses include the Enlisted Aircrew Undergraduate Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the Combat Survival Training Course at Fairchild AFB, Wash., the Water Survival-Parachuting Course at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., and the Basic Loadmaster Course at either Altus AFB, Okla., or Little Rock AFB, Ark.
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