Success of the C-17 in the longest ever USAF airdrop mission. The US Air Force led the longest-range airdrop exercise in its history on 14-15 September, flying troops and supplies from the USA to Kazakhstan. At the heart of the mission was the Boeing C-17 Globemaster.
Eight USAF C-17s were in the air for 19h 23min as they flew the 15,000km (8,000nm) from bases in North Carolina to the drop zone in the former Soviet Republic. After making the drop, which included 540 US paratroopers, 40 foreign troops and six military vehicles, the C-17s eventually made their way to land at Tashkent in neighbouring Uzbekistan after more than 20 hours in the air.
En route to the drop, the transports had made three aerial refuelling hookups, supported by USAF Boeing KC-10 and KC-135 tankers. The multinational exercise, which was conducted by the US Atlantic command, also included contributions from Russia and Turkey, with the Kazakh air force providing the C-17s with an escort of Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters to the drop zone.
The C-17 has previously gained recognition in the Awards for its ability to provide the USmilitary with an "anytime, anywhere" capability. This year's judging panel felt that the aircraft had again demonstrated its global reach, arriving on time and dropping on target.
Source: Flight International
