Airmen of Team Minot- Staff Sergeant Theodore Debauge, air transportation specialist Published Nov. 25, 2020 By Airman 1st Class Caleb S. Kimmell Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Staff Sergeant Theodore Debauge is an air transportation specialist with the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron Air Transportation Function. In his position he oversees the transfer of cargo and passengers from start to finish. Debauge is an essential part of the planning phase right down to the execution phase. Through the use of an application on his computer, he can determine optimal loading procedures ranging from cargo to people. By plugging in weights and calculations, he can figure out exactly how to place cargo onto any aircraft in the United States Air Force. Once the proper procedure is determined, Debauge and his team then load the cargo onto large pallets and secure it. Afterwards, the pallets are stored on a long loading truck where they will eventually be moved onto an aircraft using a forklift. “My favorite thing about the job is load planning,” said Debauge. “There are only two people on this base who can decide how to load any incoming aircraft, that’s me and one other Airman.” As an air transportation Airmen, Debauge also needs to know what cargo to load and how to load it in the event of a “contingency operation”. This may include medical or communications equipment, or any variety of gear needed from the base. For that reason, he must always be ready at a moment's notice to load necessary equipment in the event of an emergency. In addition to preparing cargo for Team Minot operations, Debauge also coordinates deployment operations. Similar to a TSA screening area, he will check-in passengers and check their luggage before leaving for a deployment. “It’s a bit tougher here, but it’s very rewarding,” said Debauge. “I spend a lot of time looking at the big picture and why my job matters. I meet the Bomb Wing’s intent and make sure Team Minot’s mission goes smoothly.”