Reservists train under cloak of night sky

Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin E. Alexander, Jr., a loadmaster assigned to the 701st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., sits idle moments before executing the release of cargo during the night air drop training mission aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft January 31, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bobby Pilch)

Reservists train under cloak of night sky

Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin E. Alexander, Jr., a loadmaster assigned to the 701st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., monitors cargo prior to releasing it for the night air drop training mission aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft January 31, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bobby Pilch)

Reservists train under cloak of night sky

Master Sgt. Dennis Moore, a loadmaster assigned to the 701st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. prepares final checks before releasing cargo during a night airdrop and air refueling mission aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft January 31, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bobby Pilch)

Reservists train under cloak of night sky

A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft is parked on the flightline awaiting its crew from the 701st Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, SC. Reservists from the 701 AS train aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during a night airdrop and air refueling mission January 31, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Joseph Simms)

Reservists train under cloak of night

Published Feb. 3, 2012
By Senior Airman Bobby Pilch
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Under the cloak of darkness, Reservists assigned to the 701st and 300th Airlift Squadrons, along with active duty members from the 17 AS, partnered with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron to perform night airdrop and refueling training here January 31, 2012.

Night training is one of the critical requirements for flight crews who command the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, as this type of training is frequently utilized during real-world missions.

Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin E. Alexander, Jr., a loadmaster assigned to the 701 AS, described the details of the training mission beginning with air refueling in a three-ship formation, regrouping, and then performing an airdrop.

During air refueling, each C-17 must slowly fly into position underneath the tail of a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and connect with the tail-mounted refueling boom. At night, the only visible markers on the KC-135 are several dimly lit lights along the tail and "fuel boom." Once connected, the KC-135 can dispense approximately 6,000 lbs of fuel per minute.

The airdrop involves executing four passes, two are "dry-runs" and the next two consist of dropping two container delivery system bundles per drop, said Sergeant Alexander. Each CDS bundle weighs approximately 2,200 pounds and is equipped with a parachute to deliver contents safely on the ground, bringing the total weight to 2,320 pounds per bundle.

"Normally, you will have ammunition or food to supply the troops," said Sergeant Alexander.

Safety and preparation are a primary concern when planning any mission. The flight crew and members of the 1 CTCS team attend a pre-flight briefing to review mission details several hours before takeoff and perform a thorough equipment check once on the aircraft.

For this particular mission, the flight crew had approximately two hours and 45 minutes from the time they were on alert until take-off to prepare said Sergeant Alexander.

"I get my helmet checked out and have my helmet and gloves on every flight," said Senior Airman Asha C. Kin, a photographer assigned to the 1 CTCS. "I make sure everything is zipped up and strapped down."

Airman Kin also knew she had to have her long-lens for her camera so that she could capture the cargo exiting the aircraft without getting too close and minimizing safety.

The training executed during this particular mission took place locally, but in a moment's notice, these troops can be called upon to perform their duties in an actual situation.

"I really enjoy what I am doing," said Sergeant Alexander with a wide grin. "I have been doing it for 28 years and I've got about 13,000 flight hours. I recommend this for anybody that wants to see a little bit of the world."

To learn more about the 315 AW and Globemaster III aircraft, click on the following link here. Stay up to date with the 315th Airlift Wing on our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.