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.”
