Two uniforms, one mission. Army ground liaison learns about Air Force 'front lines' Published Dec. 9, 2011 By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Adkinson 621st Contingency Response Wing Ground Liaison JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The thunderous and dominating sounds of Army artillery fire would not be heard tonight. The king of battle for this exercise was obviously the U.S. Air Force, and it was my privilege to be there training as an aircraft parking ramp coordinator with the 818th Contingency Response Group, a part of the 621st Contingency Response Wing "Devil Raiders" based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The exercise was a mobility air forces exercise, or MAFEX, which took place at Nellis Air Force Base from Nov. 13-18. As a ground liaison officer assigned to the 621st CRW I have had the privilege of training with these Airmen for the last two years. My ground liaison duties for this exercise were not traditional by any means, I was afforded the opportunity by the 818th CRG to conduct RAMPCO certification training. Being allowed to participate and become a RAMPCO during this exercise brought me to the airfield's "front lines," where interaction with aircrews, passengers, and cargo was at its closest. This allowed me to better assist in accomplishing the wing's mission of deploying versatile mobility Airmen, disciplined to solve problems in complex environments. As a GLO assigned to Air Mobility Command, I coordinate joint-service communication between CRW teams and ground forces in support of world-wide air mobility operations. With a foot in both worlds, I can bridge the cultural gap between Army cargo movement teams and CRW Airmen performing flightline operations. As a certified RAMPCO, I now speak both languages more clearly and can serve as a more effective translator. My additional training as a RAMPCO certainly took me to new and unfamiliar places, but the experience was unforgettable. Have you ever marshaled a massive C-17 into a parking spot by standing directly in the path of its four engines and waving it closer? It is an awesome feeling to look up at this looming beast and know that after I direct it into position and coordinate with the aircrew, the first step of our mission will be complete. Vital cargo will soon be in the hands of a ground unit for delivery, and our ramp will soon be ready for more supplies. Training a Soldier in these tasks has never been done, at least as far as I am aware. While we both wear different uniforms, our mission is exactly the same; the rapid and efficient movement of equipment and aid to those in need, anywhere, at anytime. I am humbled to be the first Army Devil Raider RAMPCO, and I look forward to future challenges alongside them as we "Give em' Hell!"