tankers

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- A C-17 Globemaster III takes off from here bound for McChord Air Force Base, Wash., after transiting through Italy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mitch Fuqua)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- C-17 Globemaster III's wait for their cargo in the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein...

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- A C-17 Globemaster III deployed to the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing takes off for a mission at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia on March 27. Aircraft move around the clock to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Hannen)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- U.S. Army paratroopers prepare to board a C-17 Globemaster III. Nearly 1,000 "Sky Soldiers" of the 173rd Airborne Brigade recently parachuted from C-17s into the Kurdish-controlled area of northern Iraq. This was the first combat insertion of paratroopers...

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- A soldier boards a C-17 Globemaster III. Nearly 1,000 "Sky Soldiers" of the 173rd Airborne Brigade parachuted from C-17s into the Kurdish-controlled area of northern Iraq. This was the first combat insertion of paratroopers using a C-17. (U.S. Air Force photo...

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- C-17 Globemaster IIIs await orders to load and launch in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at a forward-deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaac G. L. Freeman)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- C-17 Globemaster IIIs await orders to load and launch in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at a forward-deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaac G. L. Freeman)

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Numerous cargo pallets wait on the flightline of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, for air transport on military and commercial cargo planes supporting Operation Enduring Freedom March 18. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff...

OVER WESTERN SOUTH CAROLINA (AFPN) -- A C-17 Globemaster III parts the clouds over western South Carolina during a training mission Feb. 2. The aircraft is assigned to the state's Charleston Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen)

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Following a sudden downpour, a rainbow arcs over a line of U.S. Air Force aircraft at Moron, Air Base, Spain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. P.J. Farlin)

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Airmen with the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here load an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter aboard a C-17 Globemaster III for transport to a forward-deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brian P. Ferguson)

The C-17 Globemaster is the most flexible airlift aircraft to enter the Air Force's inventory. The ultimate measure of airlift effectiveness is the ability to rapidly project and sustain an effective combat force close to a potential battle area. Threats to U. S. interests have changed in recent...

The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform...

The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also able to perform...

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- A C-17 Globemaster III, 446th Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., conducts an assult landing at Holland landing zone here. During Rodeo 2000, teams from all over the world will compete in areas including airdrop, aerial refueling, aircraft navigation, special...

Supplies and equipment are unloaded through the nose of a C-5A Galaxy transport aircraft of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Military Airlift Command, in support of Operation Desert Shield.

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- A C-17 Globemaster III taxis down the runway after landing at Incirlik. The aircraft was flying a support mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Hannen)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- A C-17 Globemaster III lands after humanitarian airdrops in Afganistan on Oct. 8, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Holzapfel)

A C-17 Globemaster III practices evasive maneuvers during a simulated missile attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rick Bloom)