Which facility on an airfield acts as an air transportation hub for loading and unloading airlift aircraft?

The air terminal is specifically designed to function as the hub for air transportation, facilitating the loading and unloading of cargo and personnel from airlift aircraft. This facility typically provides essential services to manage passenger and cargo operations efficiently, including check-in, baggage handling, and coordination with air traffic control.

In contrast, the air operations center is primarily focused on managing aircraft movements and operations but does not serve the specific function of loading cargo or passengers. The deployment center is more related to preparing military personnel and equipment for deployment but does not directly handle airlift operations. The control tower is essential for the overall management of air traffic on the airfield, ensuring safety and efficient operations but again does not handle the specifics involved in the loading and unloading processes of airlifted goods or passengers. This distinction highlights the air terminal's unique role in the logistics and operational aspects of air transport.