Loadmasters with the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 130th Airlift Wing unload cargo from the back of a C-130 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan on July 4, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt. Stephen Hudson)

Markings: 58th Airlift Squadron (58 AS) is part of the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma

SN: 92-3293

Specifications (C-17)

General characteristics

Crew: 3: 2 pilots, 1 loadmaster

Capacity:

102 troops with standard centerline seats or

134 troops with palletized seats or

36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients

Payload: 170,900 lb (77,519 kg) of cargo distributed at max over 18 463L master pallets or a mix of palletized cargo and vehicles

Length: 174 ft (53 m)

Wingspan: 169.8 ft (51.75 m)

Height: 55.1 ft (16.8 m)

Wing area: 3,800 ft² (353 m²)

Empty weight: 282,500 lb (128,100 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 585,000 lb (265,350 kg)

Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans, 40,440 lbf (180 kN) each

Fuel capacity: 35,546 US gal (134,556 L)

Performance

Cruise speed: Mach 0.76 (450 knots, 515 mph, 830 km/h)

Range: 2,420 nmi[87] (2,785 mi, 4,482 km)

Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m)

Max wing loading: 150 lb/ft² (750 kg/m²)

Minimum thrust/weight: 0.277

97th Air Mobility Wing (97 AMW), which is a part of the Air Education and Training Command's (AETC) Nineteenth Air Force

McDonnell Douglas C-17A Globemaster III Lot IV c/n P-13

Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster, Warrant Officer Colin Moore, with No. 36 Squadron (36 SQN) conducts pre-flight checks prior to a training flight, near Fort Huachuca, Ariz., June 17, 2014. Aircrew members from the 36 SQN are participating in a two-week course hosted by the Advanced Airlift Tactical Training Center attached to the 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick P. Evenson/Released)

Joe Froidcoer and Tom Campbell ready a tire from the C-130 for transportation. The tires and the landing gear were removed from the aircraft before the support stands were added, using the attachments on the planes frame where the landing gear was once attached.

Master Sgt. Darren Wiles, a loadmaster for the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group, removes his personal protective equipment after being pulled across the water at Camp Crooked Creek in Shepherdsville, Ky., Sept. 14, 2019, by a personal watercraft as part of routine survival training. The exercise is designed to simulate what could happen to aircrew members who’ve parachuted into water when the wind catches their open chutes and drags them across the surface, posing the risk of drowning. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Horton)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kaitlyn Besse, a loadmaster assigned to the 21st Airlift Squadron, directs an equipment off-load during a Women’s Heritage Flight, March 18, 2018, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. An all-female C-17 Globemaster III crew conducted the mission that displayed pride in their heritage and showcased their ability to conduct rapid global mobility in today’s Air Force by transporting equipment and military passengers to Pacific Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Heide Couch)

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (Sep. 20, 2010) - Bangladesh Air Force loadmasters discuss airdrop procedures with Staff Sgt. Jace Hartog, from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yakota Air Base, Japan, during exercise Cope South 10, on Sept. 20, 2010. The bilateral exercise’s subject-matter expert exchanges in maintenance, operations and rigging disciplines strengthen the strong and growing partnership between the United States and Bangladesh. Two C-130s from Yokota AB and an AN-32 from Kurmitola Air Base are participating in Cope South 10. (U.S. Air Force photo / Master Sgt. Jeffery Loftin)

** Interested in following U.S. Pacific Command? Engage and connect with us at www.facebook.com/pacific.command and twitter.com/PacificCommand and www.pacom.mil/

Senior Airman Henry Saucedo-Gomez, a loadmaster with the 136th Operations Group, looks on after releasing a practice cargo pallet while in-flight Dec. 28, 2017 at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, TX. The cargo drop included four barrels of water attached to a parachute. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Lynn M. Means)

Staff Sgt. Kierre Brown, a loadmaster with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 165th Airlift Squadron, prepares to execute an airdrop mission with members from the Italian Army Folgore paratrooper brigade Nov. 7, 2019, in Pisa, Italy. The mission was part of Mangusta 19, a bi-lateral exercise designed to promote readiness and interoperability among NATO allies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Chloe Ochs)

A Polish Air Force loadmaster, and personnel from U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Force Africa (USAFE-AF), discuss ground guide palletized precision effects cargo procedures onto a Polish Air Force C-130 Hercules, November 8, 2022, in Powidz, Poland. This training is a continuation from previous iterations with U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). The U.S. and NATO allies and partners remain committed to collective defense and cooperative security throughout the European Theater. NATO allies and partners in Europe have had the palletized precision effects capability in their weapons inventory and have trained with U.S. experts since 2011.

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Soldiers from SOCPAC, Camp Smith, Hawaii and Marines from 4th Force Recon Company, Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay prepare standby while waiting to jump from a 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III, while flying over the Shark drop zone over the Island of Oahu in Hawaii on Nov. 30.

Depending on their experience level, loadmasters and pilots must complete a certain amount of personnel, container delivery system and heavy equipment drops per semi-annual period.

The loadmasters from the 535th AS, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam were able to maintain their personnel drop currencies for the year with this was jump because the jumpmasters needed to complete their jump qualifications as well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young)

Alaska Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Brian Johnson, a loadmaster with the 176th Wing’s 249th Airlift Squadron, prepares a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft for an air drop mission in the frozen Beaufort Sea before leaving Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 2, 2018. This training is linked to the Alaska National Guard’s Arctic Eagle 2018 and U.S. Navy’s Ice Exercise. The U.S. Navy equipment being dropped was palletized by U.S. Marine Corps riggers from the 1st Air Delivery Platoon, Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. A number of Department of Defense exercises afford participating forces the opportunity to operate in a joint environment while assessing the ability to conduct sustained operations in arctic conditions including Arctic Eagle 2018, Alaskan Command’s Exercise Arctic Edge, the U.S. Army’s Arctic Pegasus, and the U.S. Navy’s ICEX. ICEX 2018 is a five-week exercise that allows the U.S. Navy to assess its operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and continue to develop relationships with other services, allies and partner organizations. The exercises occur in February and March 2018, and dates for each exercise varies. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Balinda O’Neal Dresel)

Markings: 62nd AW, 446th Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Wash

SN: 98-0057

Specifications (C-17)

General characteristics

Crew: 3: 2 pilots, 1 loadmaster

Capacity:

102 troops with standard centerline seats or

134 troops with palletized seats or

36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients

Payload: 170,900 lb (77,519 kg) of cargo distributed at max over 18 463L master pallets or a mix of palletized cargo and vehicles

Length: 174 ft (53 m)

Wingspan: 169.8 ft (51.75 m)

Height: 55.1 ft (16.8 m)

Wing area: 3,800 ft² (353 m²)

Empty weight: 282,500 lb (128,100 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 585,000 lb (265,350 kg)

Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans, 40,440 lbf (180 kN) each

Fuel capacity: 35,546 US gal (134,556 L)

Performance

Cruise speed: Mach 0.76 (450 knots, 515 mph, 830 km/h)

Range: 2,420 nmi[87] (2,785 mi, 4,482 km)

Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m)

Max wing loading: 150 lb/ft² (750 kg/m²)

Minimum thrust/weight: 0.277

Boeing C-17A Lot X Globemaster III 98-0057 c/n P-57 was with 97th AMW at Altus but noted as 62nd AW McChord. Hit by missile nearBaghdad Apt, Iraq Dec 9, 2003, but was able to land safely.Returned to McChord AFB Jan 3, 2004 for repair.

Alaska Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Watson, a loadmaster with the 176th Wing’s 249th Airlift Squadron, prepares a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft for an air drop mission in the frozen Beaufort Sea before leaving Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 2, 2018. This training is linked to the Alaska National Guard’s Arctic Eagle 2018 and U.S. Navy’s Ice Exercise. The U.S. Navy equipment being dropped was palletized by U.S. Marine Corps riggers from the 1st Air Delivery Platoon, Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. A number of Department of Defense exercises afford participating forces the opportunity to operate in a joint environment while assessing the ability to conduct sustained operations in arctic conditions including Arctic Eagle 2018, Alaskan Command’s Exercise Arctic Edge, the U.S. Army’s Arctic Pegasus, and the U.S. Navy’s ICEX. ICEX 2018 is a five-week exercise that allows the U.S. Navy to assess its operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and continue to develop relationships with other services, allies and partner organizations. The exercises occur in February and March 2018, and dates for each exercise varies. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Balinda O’Neal Dresel)

An RCAF Loadmaster advising the Captain of the CC-177 (Boeing C-17) Globemaster, as they perform a "blowback", reversing out of a ramp under their own power. Tail number 177704.

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Soldiers from SOCPAC, Camp Smith, Hawaii and Marines from 4th Force Recon Company, Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay prepare standby while waiting to jump from a 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III, while flying over the Shark drop zone over the Island of Oahu in Hawaii on Nov. 30.

Depending on their experience level, loadmasters and pilots must complete a certain amount of personnel, container delivery system and heavy equipment drops per semi-annual period.

The loadmasters from the 535th AS, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam were able to maintain their personnel drop currencies for the year with this was jump because the jumpmasters needed to complete their jump qualifications as well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young)

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Soldiers from SOCPAC, Camp Smith, Hawaii and Marines from 4th Force Recon Company, Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay prepare standby while waiting to jump from a 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III, while flying over the Shark drop zone over the Island of Oahu in Hawaii on Nov. 30.

Depending on their experience level, loadmasters and pilots must complete a certain amount of personnel, container delivery system and heavy equipment drops per semi-annual period.

The loadmasters from the 535th AS, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam were able to maintain their personnel drop currencies for the year with this was jump because the jumpmasters needed to complete their jump qualifications as well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young)

A friendly wave from this loadmaster of a C-17 after dropping off 1 of the 2 VH-60's at Rotterdam

The South Carolina Army National Guard’s 1-118th Combined Arms Battalion (CAB) participates in heavy airlift operations April 10-11, 2014 at Wright Army Airfield (WAAF), Hinesville, Ga., to demonstrate the joint, total force, capabilities of the S.C. Army Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 315th Airlift Wing. Soldiers and Airmen worked in unison over two days to load and secure four of the 1-118th CAB’s new M1A1SA Abrams Main Battle Tanks onto four U.S. Air Force C-17 transport planes for transportation to McEntire Joint National Guard Base in Eastover, S.C. (Photo by Sgt. Brian Calhoun/Released)

Travis AFB CA: Senior Airman Jacquelyn R. Justice a C-17 Loadmaster with the 21 Airlift Squadron's Standardization and Evaluations Section, was selected for this month's Works with Airmen program. She explains her job skills and requirements to Chief Master Sergeant Alan G. Boling, 60th Air Mobility Wing's Command Chief. The program allows senior leadership to learn the skills and recognize the abilities of the airmen under their command. Released (USAF Photo by T.C. Perkins Jr.)

Lt. Col. Michael Theriot, 711th Special Operations Squadron, completes his postflight checks on a C-146 Wolfhound at Duke Field, Fla., Oct. 21. The Air Force Special Operations Wing aircraft are used specifically in the training and operation of the 919th Special Operations Wing’s nonstandard aviation mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Sam King)

Airmen assigned to the 9th Airlift Squadron perform a pre-flight inspection on a C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Jan. 10, 2022. The C-5 is a strategic transport aircraft and is the largest aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin)

Markings: 58th Airlift Squadron (58 AS) is part of the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma

SN: 92-3293

Specifications (C-17)

General characteristics

Crew: 3: 2 pilots, 1 loadmaster

Capacity:

102 troops with standard centerline seats or

134 troops with palletized seats or

36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients

Payload: 170,900 lb (77,519 kg) of cargo distributed at max over 18 463L master pallets or a mix of palletized cargo and vehicles

Length: 174 ft (53 m)

Wingspan: 169.8 ft (51.75 m)

Height: 55.1 ft (16.8 m)

Wing area: 3,800 ft² (353 m²)

Empty weight: 282,500 lb (128,100 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 585,000 lb (265,350 kg)

Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans, 40,440 lbf (180 kN) each

Fuel capacity: 35,546 US gal (134,556 L)

Performance

Cruise speed: Mach 0.76 (450 knots, 515 mph, 830 km/h)

Range: 2,420 nmi[87] (2,785 mi, 4,482 km)

Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m)

Max wing loading: 150 lb/ft² (750 kg/m²)

Minimum thrust/weight: 0.277

97th Air Mobility Wing (97 AMW), which is a part of the Air Education and Training Command's (AETC) Nineteenth Air Force

McDonnell Douglas C-17A Globemaster III Lot IV c/n P-13

This truck is owned by Hawaiian Tropic, it's their plant truck in Ormond Beach. Ford chassis under a Loadmaster LM-100

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tim Ledford, a loadmaster from the Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, rodeo team waits on a C-17 Globemaster III during a air drop contest over Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., July 27, 2011 for this year's rodeo. Air Mobility Rodeo is the U.S. Air Force's and Air Mobility Command’s premier international combat skill and flying operations competition designed to develop and improve techniques, procedures and interoperability, while optimizing international mobility partnerships and enhancing mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nicholas Pilch) (Released)

Senior Airman Jamar James, loadmaster, shows Ayden Houston his loadmaster duties while getting a tour of the C-130H Hercules after being named an honorary "Pilot for a Day" as part of a special event, Sept. 15, 2019, at the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio. The 164th Airlift Squadron collaborated with “A Special Wish Foundation” of Cleveland, Ohio, to provide Ayden with this unique experience he could share with his family who have been battling a variety of health issues with Ayden since birth. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood)

Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Ryan Haskins, a 144th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, pauses for a photograph with Denali off in the distance while returning to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska during Operation Santa Claus, Nov. 16, 2022. Operation Santa Claus is the AKANG’s yearly community relations and support program that provides gifts to children in remote communities across the state. In partnership with the Salvation Army and more than a dozen volunteers, the program delivered 1,780 pounds of gifts, backpacks, hygiene supplies, and books to 325 children in Scammon Bay. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peña)

My husband won the Lance P. Sijan award for leadership in 2004. The award is housed in the pentagon.

Scan from 6x4 print

83rd U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Training Command Sgts. 1st Class Ginel Caban, Josh Snyder and Michael Blunt, all unit movement officer course instructors, load a Humvee onto the C-130E to demonstrate the loading capacities.

Edited United States Air Force image of two C-130Js flying near Mount Fuji in Japan. Color/processing variant.

Original caption: Two C-130J Super Hercules fly over Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, after conducting airdrop training missions, March 26, 2018. The C-130J assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron regularly conducts training missions to remain proficient in necessary skills to support any contingency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Soldiers from SOCPAC, Camp Smith, Hawaii and Marines from 4th Force Recon Company, Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay prepare standby while waiting to jump from a 535th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III, while flying over the Shark drop zone over the Island of Oahu in Hawaii on Nov. 30.

Depending on their experience level, loadmasters and pilots must complete a certain amount of personnel, container delivery system and heavy equipment drops per semi-annual period.

The loadmasters from the 535th AS, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam were able to maintain their personnel drop currencies for the year with this was jump because the jumpmasters needed to complete their jump qualifications as well. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Neuman and Staff Sgt. Brianne Scrobe, loadmasters from the 105th Airlift Wing, check cargo prior to onloading at Wunstorf Air Base, Germany June 30, 2023. Seventeen Airmen from Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, NY flew around the world carrying the 123rd Contingency Response Team in support of exercise Air Defender 23 and Mobility Guardian 23. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Briana Ross)

Senior Airman Scott Holewinski, Loadmaster with the 102nd Rescue Squadron New York Air National Guard, Watches out the back of a AC-130 while popping flares during a training mission near Fort Huachuca Ariz. on June 17, 2014. The 102nd is taking part in a two-week tactics school with The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center attached to the 139th Airlift Wing Missouri Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Sheldon Thompson/released)

Capt Paddy Doyle and First Officer Mike Selwood in Barcelona after delivering some oilwell equipment from East Midlands on Air Bridge Carriers Argosy G-APRL. I was loadmaster.

Photo: Dick Gilbert, Barcelona, 16 August 1978.

080119-F-1644L-164

DJIBOUTI, Africa (Jan. 19, 2008) A CH-53 Sea Stallion, assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, based at Marine Corps Air Station, Jacksonville, N.C., prepares to refuel while deployed as part of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, based at Camp Lemonier. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock (Released)

Halim Air Base, Indonesia - 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster Senior Airman David Smallsreed, a native of Braceville, Ohio goes over hand signals with an Indonesian jumper so the Indonesian soldier will understand when to leap from a C-130 Hercules perfoming high-altitude, low-opening jumps over the Gorda drop zone in Indonesia in support of Cope West 10 on April 22. Cope West is a Pacific Air Forces sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise involving the U.S. and Indonesian Air Forces. The exercise is designed to advance interoperability between the U.S. and Indonesian Air Forces, and promote cooperation and unity of purpose. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech Sgt. Cohen A. Young)

The Loadmaster trailer was custom built to fit this boat.

Eight inch aluminum I-Beam frame. Torsion bar suspension. Four wheel Kodiak disk brakes. Electric over hydraulic pump and controller. Spare tire and wheel. Cypress bunks. Wooden bunks under bow. LED lights. 9,600# capacity easily handles the 6,800# boat.

On my relative's ranch, Converse County, Wyoming.

A loadmaster from the 123rd Airlift Wing, Louisville Kentucky, assists a U. S. Army paratrooper in retrieving static lines after paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, jumped from the Kentucky Air Guard's C-130 Hercules during a training exercise May 14, 2016. The paratroopers were picked up from Pope Army Airfield, N.C., and dropped somewhere near their post. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Vicky Spesard)

Tech. Sgt. Robert Hardesty 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron Globemaster III loadmaster, scans the C-17 with night vision goggles minutes before airdropping humanitarian aid over Amirli, Iraq, Aug. 31, 2014. The two C-17s dropped 79 container delivery system bundles of fresh drinking water totaling 7,513 gallons. In addition, the two U.S. C-130s aircraft dropped 30 bundles totaling 3,032 gallons of fresh drinking water and 7,056 meals ready to eat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)

Markings: 58th Airlift Squadron (58 AS) is part of the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma

SN: 92-3293

Specifications (C-17)

General characteristics

Crew: 3: 2 pilots, 1 loadmaster

Capacity:

102 troops with standard centerline seats or

134 troops with palletized seats or

36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients

Payload: 170,900 lb (77,519 kg) of cargo distributed at max over 18 463L master pallets or a mix of palletized cargo and vehicles

Length: 174 ft (53 m)

Wingspan: 169.8 ft (51.75 m)

Height: 55.1 ft (16.8 m)

Wing area: 3,800 ft² (353 m²)

Empty weight: 282,500 lb (128,100 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 585,000 lb (265,350 kg)

Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans, 40,440 lbf (180 kN) each

Fuel capacity: 35,546 US gal (134,556 L)

Performance

Cruise speed: Mach 0.76 (450 knots, 515 mph, 830 km/h)

Range: 2,420 nmi[87] (2,785 mi, 4,482 km)

Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m)

Max wing loading: 150 lb/ft² (750 kg/m²)

Minimum thrust/weight: 0.277

97th Air Mobility Wing (97 AMW), which is a part of the Air Education and Training Command's (AETC) Nineteenth Air Force

McDonnell Douglas C-17A Globemaster III Lot IV c/n P-13

A Canadian Armed Forces loadmaster describes the proper procedures for loading drills onto a CH-147F Chinook to members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment deployed on Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT (Op NA-NU) in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, on March 2, 2021.

Photo by: Cpl Tori Lake

© 2021 DND/MDN CANADA

Soldiers attending 88M motor transport operator training conducted by the Virginia National Guard's Blackstone-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute receive hands on training in loadmaster operations on a C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft April 20 at Blackstone Army Airfield. Air crews from the Air Force Reserve's 701st Airlift Squadron are training on short field landing operations at the Blackstone Airfield for the next 90 days while their primary training airfield near Charleston, S.C. undergoes repairs, and the opportunity training was coordinated during a break in the take off and landing training. Soldiers had the opportunity to practice driving on the aircraft and gained familiarization with the equipment and techniques for securing vehicles in the cargo area of the aircraft. (Photo by Cotton Puryear, Virginia Department of Military Affairs)