Combat airlift role critical to retrograde operations

by Tech. Sgt. Jason Robertson
U. S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs

2/4/2014 - AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircrews are working around the clock to support Operation Enduring Freedom retrograde operations, airlifting equipment out of Afghanistan and fulfilling a vital role at one of U.S. Central Command's regional deployment and distribution operation centers, strategically located air, land and sea logistics hubs.

Airmen of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron fly multiple sorties a day to airlift mine resistant ambush protected vehicles out of Afghanistan.

"We're working a strategic initiative to do a mass airlift retrograde operation to get 500 mine resistant ambush protected vehicles out of Afghanistan over the next couple weeks," said Capt. Lauren Hoyt, 816th EAS pilot from Woodbridge, Va. "It's a multi-modal mission; we airlift them to the logistics hub, then they get on a boat and make their way back home."

Airlifting three to four MRAPs on each sortie keeps the airlifters extremely busy.

"We're keeping the jets moving and it's a tight turnaround time for the maintainers, but everyone's leaning forward and making the mission happen," said Hoyt, deployed from the 16th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

With an average weight of more than 14,000 pounds each, three to four heavily armored MRAPs take up the entire cargo area of a C-17.

"This mission showcases the maximum payload capability of the C-17 to carry over 170,000 pounds of cargo," said Hoyt.

"With Afghanistan being a land locked country we have limitations in driving equipment out," said Hoyt. "The ability and flexibility to airlift MRAPs out of country is a huge strategic advantage."

"The long days and hard work make it worth it to me knowing we're helping people get out of Afghanistan and back home," said Senior Airman Kyle Weaker, 816th EAS loadmaster from Wichita, Kan.

Averaging 20 hour days, aircrews involved are on track to meet mission deadlines.