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.)