Armed Forces reach million-moved milestone Published Dec. 12, 2003 SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- The U.S. military reached a major milestone recently. More than 1 million troops have been moved (deployments and redeployments) supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.According to 2000 census data, this is like moving every man, woman and child in Montana more than 7,000 miles.OEF began Oct. 7, 2001, when the U.S. and coalition partners attacked terrorists and their infrastructure in Afghanistan. OIF combat operations began March 19.Besides this troop-movement milestone, more than 2.75 million tons of equipment and cargo have been moved via air and sea supporting these operations.Looking at current airlift operations compared to past operations reveals an even more impressive picture, said Col. Jim Pavlisin, chief of U.S. Transportation Command's joint operations division."Our records show the number of passengers moved (supporting) OEF and OIF far exceed the numbers of troops moved for any other operation including the Berlin Airlift, (operations) Desert Shield … Desert Storm, Restore Hope, Joint Endeavor and operations in Kosovo," Pavlisin said.Strategic airlift is performed by Air Mobility Command by military aircraft and contracted commercial carriers. More than 90 percent of passenger movements for deployments and redeployments are accomplished in commercial aircraft. Although military aircraft often carry small numbers of troops, they are primarily used for moving cargo, officials said. (Courtesy of USTRANSCOM News Service)