PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Airmen from the 302d Airlift Wing’s 39th Aerial Port Squadron demonstrated their operational readiness and technical expertise during the 2026 Port Dawg Challenge at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
The intense competition gathered aerial port squadrons from across the globe to compete in 12 distinct events. The scenarios are specifically designed to simulate high-stress, time sensitive operations and evaluate critical decision-making under pressure.
Master Sgt. Russel Hudson, 39th APS, described the event as a comprehensive test of both readiness and resilience for the air transportation specialists.
“It simulates what we do when we're deployed,” Hudson said. “How well can you perform the job with very little information and underneath an extreme time crunch.”
The multi-day challenge evaluated competitors on a wide range of career field competencies, including aircraft loading, physical fitness assessments, comprehensive written exams, and forklift obstacle courses. Out of all the teams competing, the 39th APS distinguished themselves by securing third place in the cargo build-up competition.