C-17 Crews Make Record Airdrop

By Staff Sgt. Trevor Tiernan
U.S. Central Command Air Forces

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan – U.S. Air Force C-17 crews marked an historic highpoint Thursday as they completed one of the largest single airdrops in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began.

Two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped more than 60 bundles of cargo, weighing more than 85,000 pounds, over the Paktika province in southeastern Afghanistan. According to Lt. Col. Brian Robinson, Air Mobility Division chief at the Combined Air and laceName>SpacelaceName> laceName>OperationslaceName> laceType>CenterlaceType>, the drop provided personnel on the ground with supplies needed to operate through the winter.

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’.

“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 AOR (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.”

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, according to Colonel Robinson.

“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,” said Colonel Robinson.

The crews flew from Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan to pick up the cargo at Bagram. They then flew over the drop zone and delivered the supplies before returning to Manas. The approximately four-hour trip spared Air Force 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 service members 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 war fighter.”

Capt. Ryan Orfe piloted one of the aircraft on the successful mission. He agreed that 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.”

"BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan – U.S. Air Force C-17 crews marked an historic highpoint Thursday as they completed one of the largest single airdrops in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began."

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!! Seems I participated in a FOUR SHIP waaaaaay back in October of ......what year was that???......Uh.... OH YEAH, 2001!!!!!!!

Just ONE C-17 carries and drops 40 bundles, each weighing 2000lbs, so thats 80 grand right there. Just 5 grand less than what they actually dropped. I smell PR stunt.

Now as far as the DZs goes, echelon left with offset wingman by 2000 feet back, 500 right, I figure the DZ is less than a click long, maybe same across. But shite...they do have some long valley floors around there.

golf clap, golf clap, golf clap,

LOAD CLEAR! LOAD CLEAR!

Your Job is my Hobby!

Mortarman11c (10/17/2007)

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golf clap, golf clap, golf clap,

"BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan – U.S. Air Force C-17 crews marked an historic highpoint Thursday as they completed one of the largest single airdrops in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began."

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!! Seems I participated in a FOUR SHIP waaaaaay back in October of ......what year was that???......Uh.... OH YEAH, 2001!!!!!!!

Just ONE C-17 carries and drops 40 bundles, each weighing 2000lbs, so thats 80 grand right there. Just 5 grand less than what they actually dropped. I smell PR stunt.

Now as far as the DZs goes, echelon left with offset wingman by 2000 feet back, 500 right, I figure the DZ is less than a click long, maybe same across. But shite...they do have some long valley floors around there.

golf clap, golf clap, golf clap,

Get on the webpage, and submit a letter.  They love it when you correct their mistakes (never printed my letter correcting an error)