Total Force 'surge' to flex C-5 fleet

C-5B cargo airlifters from the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., like this one off-loading cargo in Djibouti, will be among 12 Air Force Reserve Command C-5s and 14 aircrews taking part in an historic "surge" of military airlifters Oct. 17-21. The exercise will test the ability of U.S. Transportation Command and its air component, Air Forces Transportation, to rapidly provide strategic airlift in response to large-scale crises and contingencies using the C-5 Galaxy. (U.S. Navy file photo/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Timothy Wilson)

Heavy lift for a heavy lifter

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (July 14, 2011) - Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, stationed at Camp Lemonnier, Combined Joint Task Force Horn Africa, in Djibouti, push a Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, July 14, delivered by an Air Force Reserve Command C-5B assigned to the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Two CH-53 helicopters were delivered to augment the HMH Squadron, helping support regional operations in East Africa. (U.S. Navy photo/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Timothy Wilson)

Humanitarian aid for Nicaragua

Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston, S.C., load medical supplies onto a 315th AW C-17 Dec. 30, 2010, at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The aircrew landed here to pick up humanitarian aid bound for Managua, Nicaragua. A 1984 E-One fire truck and supplies, totaling nearly 3.5 tons, was donated by Emergency Response Services for Latin America to assist countries in Latin America. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexy Saltekoff)

Humanitarian aid for Nicaragua

A wooden ramp used to drive a fire truck on board is loaded into a C-17 Globemaster III from the Air Force Reserve's 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston, S.C. The 315th AW C-17 landed Dec. 30, 2010, at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., to pick up humanitarian aid bound for Managua, Nicaragua. A 1984 E-One fire truck and medical supplies, totaling nearly 3.5 tons, was donated by Emergency Response Services for Latin America to assist countries in Latin America. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexy Saltekoff)

CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA 2010

Students and teachers involved in the Africa Aerospace and Defense Youth Development Program make their way to the C-17 Globemaster III static display during the air and trade show held at Ysterplaat Air Force Base, Cape Town South Africa. Members of the 315th Airlift Wing Charelston Air Force Base, S.C., maintained the staic display Sept. 21-25 and shared with local South African students on the missions and capabilities of the C-17. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Joe Simms)

CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA 2010

Master Sgt. George Counts, a loadmaster with the 317th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base S.C., expains the features of the C-17 Globemaster III to a member of the Africa Aerospace and Defense Youth Development Program at Ysterplaat Air Force Base, Cape Town South Africa. The program, which focuses on getting young people the tools they need to excel in South Africa's aviation and defense industries, coincided with the five day air and trade show Sept 21-25. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Joe Simms)

Force Structure: Plan calls for command to gain people, move aircraft

Under the new force structure realignment, one C-130 from the 914th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls International Airport Air Reserve Station, N.Y., will be transferred to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., to support a new C-130H2 formal training unit. (Staff Sgt. Joseph McKee)

Spill Busters: Reserve's aerial spray specialists assist with oil cleanup effort

A 910th AW C-130 Hercules drops oil-dispersing chemicals into the Gulf of Mexico May 9. The wing specializes in aerial spraying and is the Department of Defense's only large-area, fixed-wing aerial spray unit. (Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Reservists mobilized to support Afghanistan surge

A C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., banks over the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, S.C., during a training mission May 16, 2006. Charleston's 315th Airlift Wing is one of eight Air Force Reserve Command units providing airlift support for the troop surge in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Russell E. Cooley IV)

Reservists mobilized to support Afghanistan surge

Capt. Michael Shampine, 89th Airlift Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, flies a local C-5 Galaxy training mission April 1, 2010, in preparation for an increased operations tempo in support of the troop surge in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airmen Mikhail Berlin)

Wright-Patt airlift control flight shuts down

The sun set on the 445th Airlift Control Flight at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 30, 2009, when the unit deactivated because Air Force Reserve Command realigned its airlift control flights. Reservists in the Wright-Patt flight transferred to other bases, retired or took other jobs in the 445th Airlift Wing, which flies the C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ken LaRock)

C-130 dedication honors 82nd Airborne Soldiers in Afghanistan

Servicemembers assembled on the flightline to tour a C-130 Hercules from the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Oct. 5, 2009, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The C-130 was dedicated to the Army's 82nd Airborne Division in honor of the cohesion of the Air Force and the Army in Afghanistan and was put on display for servicemembers to view the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Felicia Juenke)