The senior individual in each aircraft load of troops is designated as the OIC and is provided a copy of the passenger manifest. Each OIC must be thoroughly briefed on his or her responsibilities. This example of an information sheet outlining OIC duties and responsibilities should be of value to you.

A. Duties of a flight OIC

You have been selected as the OIC for this planeload of passengers. Such action is necessary for proper control and coordination of troop loads with the limited passenger and processing personnel available. Your timely execution of assigned duties will reduce confusion and greatly assist in the prompt dispatching of the aircraft.

Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the properties of dangerous cargo aboard the aircraft and be prepared to assist the flight crew in any cargo-related emergency, if requested.

Step 2. When the aircraft lands en route to or from home base, make arrangements for proper cargo security. Use your assistant as a guard, or make other necessary arrangements to ensure the cargo is protected.

Step 3. Familiarize yourself with the priority of the cargo aboard. In the event it becomes necessary to off-load cargo en route, advise the aircraft commander or AMC transportation representative of what cargo should be off-loaded.

Step 4. If any portion of cargo is off-loaded at a base en route, one custodian must remain with the off-loaded cargo, and one custodian must remain with the aircraft (or as directed by the unit mobility officer). Off-loaded cargo should be reported by naval message, finishing all pertinent information to the appropriate commander at the base where the cargo was loaded and to the commander at the forward operating base,

Step 5. Upon arrival at the forward operating base or at the home station, the senior cargo custodian should report to his or her unit and deliver the cargo manifest to the unit's property custodian.

B. Responsibilities of a flight OIC

You will need to ensure the following:

All baggage and personnel are weighed.

Transportation is arranged for movement to the airfield.

Each piece of baggage returning to CONUS has been inspected, customs regulations followed, and DD Form 1854 (Customs Declaration) completed.

Flight rations are supplied.

Personnel have up-to-date immunization and identification cards.

Obtain from the administration officer (S-l) all information, such as medical certificates of absence of communicable disease, group travel orders, cargo manifests, and customs declarations if returning to CONUS.

The flight OIC should muster his or her personnel and maintain them in a l/2-hour ready status from 24 hours before the scheduled flight time until the flight departs. The OIC must be sure that personnel and baggage arrive at the air terminal 3 hours before the scheduled arrival of the aircraft or as directed.

Before departing the camp area, the OIC should do the following:

1. Muster all personnel to confirm the flight manifest.

2. Collect a copy of DD Form 1854 from each person returning to CONUS.

3. Have all personnel complete next-of-kin cards for submission at the air terminal before embarkation.

4. Hold a personnel inspection to ensure that everyone is in proper uniform.

At the departure airfield, the OIC and the embarkation officer should coordinate embarkation with the DACG. This is necessary to make certain that all personnel, baggage, cargo, bagged 782 gear, boxed weapons, and ammunition are loaded' aboard the aircraft. During the transit, the flight OIC should perform on a routine basis the following duties:

1. Maintain a rough log of significant events, beginning with the first muster.

2. Exercise military control over personnel in the flight.

3. See that personnel are kept informed of all pertinent matters.