German Forces soldiers train on Ramstein

By Airman 1st Class Kristof J. Rixmann, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published September 20, 2018

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 2

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Alex Rose, 721st Aerial Port Squadron Ramp Service Supervisor, gives German Forces loadmasters a tour inside the static C-17 Globemaster on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sep. 13, 2018. These kinds of exercises mutually benefit the United States and Germany by further establishing cooperation and transparency between the two countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristof J. Rixmann)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 2

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Patrick David, 721st Aerial Port Squadron Ramp Services Operations non-commissioned officer in charge, gives German Forces loadmasters a tour of a section of the airfield near the static C-17 Globemaster they boarded on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sep. 13, 2018. The intent of the visit for German Forces loadmasters was to further the training of German loadmasters who frequently work with the C-17 Globemaster’s and C-5 Galaxy’s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristof J. Rixmann)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Sixteen soldiers from the German Forces in Cologne, Germany received training by U.S. Airmen and Host Nation employees on a C-17 Globemaster on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 13, 2018.

The visit furthers training of German loadmasters who frequently work with C-17 Globemasters and C-5 Galaxy aircraft.

“In the flight readiness of the Federal Ministry of Defense, my soldiers regularly handle C-17 Globemasters of different nations, but primarily those of the U.S. Air Force,” said German Forces Lt. Col. Ingo Joerz, German Forces Airfield Squadron commander. “In order to be able to guarantee a high quality of handling without delay in the future, I consider it very beneficial for both parties to instruct my personnel in the special features of the cargo handling of the C-130J Super Hercules, C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster.”

U.S. Air Force loadmasters and Host Nation loadmasters provided all-encompassing instruction on cargo handling for the C-17 Globemaster and answered questions from German Forces loadmasters about the aircraft and its capabilities.

The German loadmasters received a tour of Ramstein Air Base and a mission brief from the German Support Unit in addition to their aircraft training.

These exercises mutually benefit the United States and Germany by further establishing cooperation and transparency between the two countries.

“Host Nation relations at a local level are very good and stable,” said Roberto Manuel Saldanha da Costa, 86th Airlift Wing Host Nation Office chief on Ramstein Air Base. “The U.S. military is actively engaged at all levels to communicate with local representatives and be transparent through multiple media channels.”

The 86th Airlift Wing Host Nation Office takes special measures to ensure cooperation and transparency between Ramstein Air Base military personnel and German citizens through initiatives such as advertising and enhancing the German-American Community Office as an access point, advertising the official base tour program and through enhancement of the Grassroots program.