(cue flight of the valkyries...)
Posted on 12/23/2005 2:46:43 AM PST by 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.
Air Force Ping!!!
Don't know, all I've seen is "airdrop".
I'll ask my pilot buddy. He wasn't one of the guys flying (I don't think), but he'll probably know.
(cue flight of the valkyries...)
See my #20... Like minds...
Finally the C-17 did a full stop landing on the runway in front.
The Flight School at the time where I was standing must have had an audience of about 70 students (ComAir), they were all standing next to me watching the C-17 turn and taxi off the runway to the parallel Taxiway.
The C-17 turned and headed down to the end of the runway for a takeoff.
I gave some of the students a hint as to what was going to happen (a Maximum Performance, short field takeoff).
Anyway, the C-17 pulled on the runway, and sure enough, with brakes on, the AC Commander Firewalled the Throttles and held the brakes.
Full Power, Brake release, we were standing at the 1500 foot marker of the Runway.
The C-17 main gear and all left the runway at about 1700 feet and climbed out at an unbelievable angle.
Quite a show! A few Jaws dropped on that one, kids don't try this at home!
I'd love to ride along for a combat descent in one of those things, though preferable in a place with a near-zero chance of incoming corkscrews.
Only in museums and razor blades!! Actually, I remember both aircraft. C-124's used to come in Mildenhall when I was stationed there. I can still remember the sound they made when taxiing. Sounds like a herd of wild elephants was what the old guys said.
Charelston AFB! I went to the NCO Leadership School there in 1984. Is that a new bridge? I remember the old bridge looked like a upside down U.
I remember going to the NCO Club one Saturday night and the place was crawling with women. Now that was unusual so I asked a local what was up. He said the Navy had just put to sea. Hmmm.... OK, said I. I danced a lot that night, but made sure I left there alone!
They just opened the bridge this year. I was there in July, and it was still under construction. The old one was getting pretty rickety.
I am amazed that the "flying boxcar" actually could. I remember seeing one on static display at Ypsilanti, Mi. and would have bet it (the design) was incapable of flight.
Now back to topic discussion.
mc
Three questions, if I may for anyone wih knowledge in this area..
1. At what airspeed are the planes flying in this shot?
2. Is this the normal jump deployment formation?
3. Reason why I ask is because I always read that jumbos have to have extra separation because they can cause air turbulance that can affect other planes...so what does that do to the paratroops?
Thanks, and a Merry Christmas to all!!!
...and how many MILLIONS did that cost the tax payers. With the advent of computer modeling, this type of BS is completely unnecessary.
Hey, Iranians... coming to a city near you!
On another thread here today, about the death of one of the flyers from the Doolittle raid..we were talking about the awesome scene from the movie "30 Seconds Over Tokyo" where they fly the bomber UNDER the Golden Gate Bridge. So, looking at THOSE planes, and THAT bridge..ya think? (G)
Because everyone knows you can model everything to 100% accuracy on a computer.
Just ask Robert McNamera, his whiz kids, and those who had to fight under their leadership.
Thanks for the post!
for normal low levels the airspeed is usually around 250 knots. i doubt they had any jumpers for the airdrops...in training like that i dont think they practice jumps during locals (but i'm not airdrop qualified, so i cant say for sure)they probably just dropped training pallets and maybe a humvee or two.
hi! What squadron is your friend in? i'm not familiar with the name, but i've only been there 2 months. combat descents are a great time...sitting in the cargo compartment the plane just starts falling and you come out of your seat, held in just by your seatbelt, almost like the first big hill on a roller coaster. fun stuff!
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