Charleston AFB breaks C-17 flying record (Biggest formation)

Air Force Link ^ | 12/22/2005

[FreedomPoster]

12/22/2005 - CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- The largest formation of C-17 Globemaster IIIs from a single base took off this morning from here in a demonstration of the strategic airdrop capability of the Air Force.

Seventeen C-17s took off at about 10:20 a.m. Previously, the largest C-17 formation consisting of aircraft and aircrew from a single base was 15 aircraft from McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

The training mission was a joint endeavor embarked on by aircrew members assigned to both the 437th and the 315th Airlift Wings here.

The formation left the base en route to locations around the southeast to perform required quarterly, semiannual and end of year currency training requirements. The crews were able to practice their airdrop and aerial refueling skills during the mission.

The C-17 formation conducted low-level training in the Charleston area before taking part in a massive airdrop at North Auxiliary Air Field, S.C.

Charleston aircrews fly daily missions worldwide supporting the war on terrorism.

On average, Charleston’s C-17s move more than 295 tons of cargo every day. About 45 percent of all air cargo bound for American warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan originates here.

If fully loaded, the 17 airlifters would be able haul more than 2,890,000 pounds of cargo or more than 1,734 passengers.

[FreedomPoster]

Would have loved to have seen this airdrop. A buddy is a pilot in one of the Charleston squadrons, which is where I heard about this.

[FreedomPoster]

Click images for hi-res (and I mean high!) versions.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AFPN) -- A formation of 17 C-17 Globemaster IIIs fly over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia during low-level tactical training. The C-17s, assigned to the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings here, were part of the largest formation in history from a single base and demonstrated the strategic airdrop capability of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Bailey)

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AFPN) -- formation of 17 C-17 Globemaster IIIs fly over the Arthur Ravenel Bridge. The C-17s, assigned to the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings here, were part of the largest formation in history from a single base and demonstrated the strategic airdrop capability of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Bailey)

[FreedomPoster]

Ping. Found it.

Is there an Air Force ping list.

[luigi]

Ping for your ping list.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Flying PING!!

[Aeronaut]

[SkyPilot]

Awesome! I used to fly at Charleston--wonderful place.

It is so good to see our nation finally getting enough C-17s to do the job. Not too long ago, Congress had only authorized 40 C-17s to replace 298 C-141s.

I am glad sanity arrived and this nation will at least get more than that.

[FreedomPoster]

It's an awesome aircraft. I've gotten a good tour, and it's a huge step up from a C-141 or a C-5.

[barker]

Thought you might want to see this thread.

[libertylover]

Congratulations to every one in the 437th and the 315th Airlift Wings!

[SLB]

Wow! What a way to celebrate Christmas.

[arbee4bush]

Impressive!

Ping to my USAF Loadmaster C-17 airman daughter-stationed at Charleston AFB!

[FreedomPoster]

I still haven't found any pics of the airdrop. If anyone comes across some, please ping me.

[jwpjr]

re: replace 298 C-141s

What? There are no more C-124 Globemasters or C-119 Flying Boxcars?

[Northern Yankee]

Can you put me on it?

Thanks... and Merry Christmas!

[Northern Yankee]

Great picture!

[Paratrooper]

Did they drop any Paratroopers, or was this just a heavy drop of equipment.

[Blueflag]

hahahaha!!!

You trash hauling zoomies call that a formation??????

500 feet of sep

OMG.
















Just busting your chops ;-) Merry Christmas

/snicker 8-P

[bmwcyle]

Great job and also thanks to TRANSCOM.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Looking at that photo with the formation over the bridge...

For some reason Wagner's' Flight of the Valkyries comes into my head...