Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 begins

Members of the National Science Foundation load onto a C-17 Globemaster III for a winter fly-in mission during Operation Deep Freeze Aug. 20 at Christchurch, New Zealand. A C-17 and 31 Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., began the annual winter fly in augmentation of scientists, support personnel, food and equipment for the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station. WinFly is the opening of the first flights to McMurdo station, which closed for the austral winter in February. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 begins

Members of the National Science Foundation load supplies on a C-17 Globemaster III for a winter fly-in mission during Operation Deep Freeze Aug. 20 at Christchurch, New Zealand. A C-17 and 31 Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., began the annual winter flight in augmentation of scientist, support personnel, food and equipment for the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station. WinFly is the opening of the first flights to McMurdo Station, which closed for the austral winter in February. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

Reserve Airmen contributing to medical mission in Iraq

Flight surgeon Lt. Col. Nina Gilbergat is dwarfed by a C-17 Globemaster III as she prepares to walk up the ramp door before an aeromedical evacuation mission from Balad Air Base, Iraq to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Colonel Gilbergat is assigned to the 332nd Contingency Aeromedical Staging Flight.The Globemaster is from March Air Reserve Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathan Doza)

C-17 Arrival

Brigadier Gen. Buddy Reed presents the Key to Travis's newest C-17 to Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Eckert, 860th AMXS and Tech Sgt. Jesus Garza 945th AMXS (Reserve). The arriving C-17 is the second of thirteen that will be stationed at Travis. Photo by David W. Cushman GS-11

Stop right there big nose

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- A crew chief directs a C-17 Globemaster III cargo jet into position on parking ramp here on July 12. The Globemaster is from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and is flown by the active-duty's 437th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 315th Airlift Wing. Used to transport cargo and military troops, the C-17 arrived at the aerial port here that serves as the hub for all air cargo operations in Iraq. The base averages more than 750 cargo flights per month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Andrew Oquendo)

Stop right there big nose

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- A crew chief directs a C-17 Globemaster III cargo jet into position on parking ramp here on July 12. The Globemaster is from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and is flown by the active-duty's 437th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 315th Airlift Wing. Used to transport cargo and military troops, the C-17 arrived at the aerial port here that serves as the hub for all air cargo operations in Iraq. The base averages more than 750 cargo flights per month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Andrew Oquendo)

U.S. opens Berlin Airlift Show with "Spirit"

The "The Spirit of Berlin," a C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., takes off for a flight demonstration at the Berlin Air Show on May 16, 2006. The C-17 and other Air Force and Army aircraft are on display at the air show at Berlin-Schoenefeld Airport May 16-21. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Pamela A.Q. Cook)

C-17 in Berlin

BERLIN, Germany - "The Spirit of Berlin" C-17 Globemaster III lands May 16 after a flight demonstration at the Berlin Air Show. The C-17 from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and other Air Force and Army aircraft are attending the air show at Berlin-Schoenefeld Airport May 16-21. The Berlin Air Show is one of the premier events of its type in the world, and U.S. military participation contributes to a number of U.S. security and foreign policy interests. Participation promotes standardization and interoperability of equipment with our NATO allies and other potential coalition partners, highlights the strength of the U.S. commitment to the security of Europe and demonstrates that U.S. industry is producing equipment that will be critical to the success of current and future military operations. (Photo by Maj. Pamela A.Q. Cook, USAF)

C-17 over March Field

A C-17 assigned to the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., flies over March Field. (File photo)

C-17 record breaking flight

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AFPN) -- A formation of 17 C-17 Globemaster IIIs fly over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia during low-level tactical training. The C-17s, assigned to the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings here, were part of the largest formation in history from a single base and demonstrated the strategic airdrop capability of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Bailey)

Aerial refueling

A KC-135R from the 336th Air Refueling Squadron refuels a C-17A from the 729th Airlift Squadron Dec. 6, 2005 over Arizona. Both aircraft are from the Air Force Reserve Command's 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt Rick Sforza, 4th Combat Camera Squadron)

Hurricane Wilma

NAVAL AIR STATION - JOINT RESERVE BASE, FORT WORTH, Texas -- Pallets of food and water are loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster III here for delivery to Florida. As part of a joint effort, Airmen, Sailors and Defense Department civilians assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Hurricane Wilma relief operations Oct. 27. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Bill L. Goben, Jr.)