Monday, July 14, 2025
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result
Home Defence & Military News Air Force News

C-17 crews make record airdrop

by Editor
October 17, 2007
in Air Force News
2 min read
0
14
VIEWS

US Air Force,

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan: Two C-17 Globemaster III crews marked an historic highpoint Oct. 11 as they completed one of the largest single airdrops in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began.

Airmen from the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, dropped 62 bundles of cargo, weighing more than 85,000 pounds, over the Paktika province in southeastern Afghanistan.

The drop provided personnel on the ground with supplies needed to operate through the winter, said Lt. Col. Brian Robinson, the Air Mobility Division chief at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center.

“What sets this mission apart from previous ones is this is the first time we've used two aircraft to drop simultaneously on the same drop zone in the (area of responsibility),” said Tech. Sgt. Marvin Mosley, a loadmaster on the mission. “We've done several single-ship drops, which limits the amount of cargo you can drop at once. This particular mission consisted of two aircraft over the target at the same time and it's the first time (during combat) cargo has been air-dropped in a formation scenario.”

Because the ground units required a large amount of supplies, two C-17s were used to complete the mission, instead of four C-130 Hercules aircraft.

The decision to make the drop came about due to poor road conditions leading to the forward operating base, as well as force protection concerns, Colonel Robinson said.

“Airdrop could deliver all the supplies in two to three minutes using the C-17s and minimize blue forces exposure on the ground and in the air,” Colonel Robinson said.

The crews flew from Manas AB to pick up the cargo at Bagram AB. They then flew over the drop zone and delivered the supplies before returning to Manas AB. The approximately four-hour trip spared Airmen from having to drive a possibly life-threatening convoy over a more than 200-mile route.

Though separated by thousands of feet, the aircrews feel an affinity with the servicemembers on the ground, and Staff Sgt. Joe Trujillo said they take great strides to ensure the supplies get to their intended recipients.

“We have all of our checklists and follow all our procedures to make sure everything goes out properly,” he said. “That way we don't keep their items on the airplane and have to return to base. We actually get it to the warfighter.”

Capt. Ryan Orfe piloted one of the aircraft on the mission. He said the airdrop not only got much needed supplies out ahead of harsh weather, but also helped keep convoy drivers out of harm's way.

“Hopefully we're doing good and taking convoys off the road,” Captain Orfe said. “That seems to be where a lot of the attacks on our troops come from. The more we can keep (the convoys) off the road, while at the same time keeping ourselves safe flying at higher altitudes. It's a win-win for everybody.”

Previous Post

Defence Committee Inquiry Into the UK-US Defence Trade Treaty

Next Post

Missile Warning Sensors to Korean Helicopter Program

Related Posts

Germany says adding explosive drones to weapons arsenal

Germany says adding explosive drones to weapons arsenal

April 8, 2025

Germany said Friday it would buy explosive drones for the first time as Berlin boosts investments in its armed forces...

F-22 Raptor

Trump, Hegseth Announce Air Force’s Next Generation Fighter Platform

March 21, 2025

During a press conference at the White House today, President Donald J. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that...

Next Post

Missile Warning Sensors to Korean Helicopter Program

Latest Defense News

Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers

Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers

May 17, 2025
Trump announces ‘full and immediate’ India-Pakistan ceasefire

Trump announces ‘full and immediate’ India-Pakistan ceasefire

May 10, 2025
Pakistan says Indian missiles strike air bases as conflict spirals

Pakistan says Indian missiles strike air bases as conflict spirals

May 10, 2025
J-10C fighter jet

Pakistan says India has brought neighbours ‘closer to major conflict’

May 9, 2025
North Korea fires multiple suspected cruise missiles

North Korea fires flurry of short-range ballistic missiles

May 9, 2025
China says ‘closely watching’ Ukraine situation after Russian attack

China vows to stand with Russia in face of ‘hegemonic bullying’

May 9, 2025

Defense Forum Discussions

  • Russian Air Force News & Discussion
  • Indian Military Aviation; News, Updates & Discussions
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • Russia - General Discussion.
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • US Navy News and updates
  • General Aviation Thread
  • Indonesian Aero News
  • General Naval News
  • Japan, Koreas, China and Taiwan regional issues
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com