C-17 crews demonstrate joint, international capabilities

by Tech. Sgt. Sean Tobin
62nd Airlift Wing

2/21/2014 - PATTAYA, Thailand  -- Five C-17 Globemaster III aircraft departed from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and dropped more than 380 U.S. and Royal Thai paratroopers into Lopburi Airfield, Thailand, Feb. 15 in support of multi-national military exercise Exercise Cobra Gold.

The airdrop operation flown by aircrews from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; and Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The 18-hour flight across the Pacific not only provided an opportunity for C-17 crews to gain experience conducting combined airdrop operations, but also gave them experience executing large-formation air refueling operations.

"This exercise demonstrates our commitment to working with our Thai partners - our longest-standing ally in the Pacific - and provides valuable training for everyone involved," said Joint Base Charleston's Col. Tony Schenk, the 437th Operations Group deputy commander and Air Force mission commander for the operation.

Participating in an exercise of this scale is the best way to gain experience while learning valuable lessons, said Capt. Buddy McNeal Jr., a 7th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot from Joint Base Charleston and one of the formation's aircraft commanders. McNeal praised the unique opportunity the exercise offered for crews to fly in formation with their counterparts from other bases into unfamiliar airfields with unique terrain and weather considerations.

Aircrews were not the only participants who benefited from the exercise. Royal Thai and U.S. armed forces paratroopers also praised the valuable experience gained from the exercise.

After landing into an area just 1,400 yards by 2,500 yards, the nearly 400 paratroopers conducted operations including eliminating opposition forces, seizing and turning over the airfield to the host nation. and assisting with local area humanitarian operations.

"These exercises hone our abilities to defend our nation, as well as help our allies, at any time and in any location across the globe," said Army 1st. Sgt. Jason Woodbury, 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry jumpmaster.

Upon conclusion of the exercise, aircrews made the return trip to JBER, executing further large-scale formation and air refueling operations along the way. Once over Alaska, paratroopers conducted a return airborne operation , further enhancing their forced entry proficiency.

"With any exercise of this scale, there will always be lessons learned and things we will be able to do better next time," said Schenk. "But to be able to fly five C-17s thousands of miles, refueling twice along the way, and drop nearly 400 troops on target, on time, is truly a tremendous accomplishment."