C-17 Route Certification
C-17 Globemaster III aircrew members validate radar coverage Jan. 3 during a low-level flying route over the island of Hawaii. The Airmen, from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, fly a local area training mission. In combat, pilots will operate aircraft at altitudes as low as 100 feet and at high airspeeds to defeat ground missile radars and avoid sophisticated surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery and enemy fighters. High speed low-altitude training activities are conducted only in limited, charted airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)