Global missions all in a day's work

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  Many people say they joined the Air Force to have exciting adventures and see the world. For a C-17 Globemaster III aircrew from Detachment 1 of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, those perks are part of their average day. 

"An average mission can range anywhere from a 12-hour day to a 72-hour overnight trip," said 1st Lt. Ian Ostermiller, a C-17 pilot deployed from the 10th Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. 

The day starts as the aircrew arrives at the operations center for its pre-mission briefs. It is here where aircrew members receive the latest intelligence, weather and tactics and find out how much cargo and passengers they will be carrying. Most importantly, they also find out exactly where they are going. 

"On any given day, we can find ourselves in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Ramstein or Cyprus," said Staff Sgt. Larcario Tufts, loadmaster. 

On this particular day, the crew learns that it will be delivering and picking up cargo and passengers at Bagram Air Base and Kandahar in Afghanistan. 

After completing the pre-mission portion of its day, the crew heads out to the aircraft where it, along with the maintenance team, performs pre-flight checks and inspections. 

"During pre-flight, one of my tasks (as co-pilot) is to prepare all of the jet's systems," Lieutenant Ostermiller said. "We check every system on the jet: pressurization, missile warning and defense systems, computers, flight controls, navigation, fuel, hydraulics and emergency equipment." 

While the pilots are checking the aircraft's systems, the loadmasters are accounting for all of the cargo and passengers. The aircraft is usually operated by a crew of three -- pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster -- which reduces manpower requirements, risk exposure and long-term operating costs. Cargo is loaded onto the C-17 through a large aft door that accommodates military vehicles and palletized cargo. 

"Today we are delivering approximately 67,000 pounds of cargo to Bagram," Sergeant Tufts said. "From there we will deliver approximately 500 pounds of cargo and passengers to Kandahar." 

Today's load is only about 40 percent of the C-17's capacity -- 170,900 pounds. The crew thoroughly inspects everything from life support equipment to maintenance items, then waits for the tower to clear the transport for takeoff. 

Once at cruising altitude, the crew takes a minute to enjoy the snowcapped mountainous view. 

"It looks like we're on another planet," said Capt. John Caplinger, the aircraft commander. "Beautiful, simply beautiful." 

But beautiful surroundings do not cause the crew to forget that it works in a combat zone and must keep a watchful eye for danger. 

The crew lands safely at Bagram, delivers the cargo, picks up more supplies and passengers and takes off for Kandahar. 

The Airmen return to Manas Air Base approximately 11 hours after takeoff, welcomed home and recovered by the same maintenance team that launched them. 

The pilots guide the 174-foot long airplane into its parking spot and shut down the engines. Crew members begin post-flight inspections, files post-mission reports and catches a ride back to their room to get some rest. Tomorrow, they will perform the same mission: delivering vital cargo and passengers to ensure victory in the fight for freedom. 

All in a day's work.