Total Force 'surge' to flex C-5 fleet

C-5B cargo airlifters from the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., like this one off-loading cargo in Djibouti, will be among 12 Air Force Reserve Command C-5s and 14 aircrews taking part in an historic "surge" of military airlifters Oct. 17-21. The exercise will test the ability of U.S. Transportation Command and its air component, Air Forces Transportation, to rapidly provide strategic airlift in response to large-scale crises and contingencies using the C-5 Galaxy. (U.S. Navy file photo/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Timothy Wilson)

Heavy lift for a heavy lifter

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (July 14, 2011) - Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, stationed at Camp Lemonnier, Combined Joint Task Force Horn Africa, in Djibouti, push a Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, July 14, delivered by an Air Force Reserve Command C-5B assigned to the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. Two CH-53 helicopters were delivered to augment the HMH Squadron, helping support regional operations in East Africa. (U.S. Navy photo/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Timothy Wilson)

Humanitarian aid for Nicaragua

Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston, S.C., load medical supplies onto a 315th AW C-17 Dec. 30, 2010, at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The aircrew landed here to pick up humanitarian aid bound for Managua, Nicaragua. A 1984 E-One fire truck and supplies, totaling nearly 3.5 tons, was donated by Emergency Response Services for Latin America to assist countries in Latin America. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexy Saltekoff)

Humanitarian aid for Nicaragua

A wooden ramp used to drive a fire truck on board is loaded into a C-17 Globemaster III from the Air Force Reserve's 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston, S.C. The 315th AW C-17 landed Dec. 30, 2010, at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., to pick up humanitarian aid bound for Managua, Nicaragua. A 1984 E-One fire truck and medical supplies, totaling nearly 3.5 tons, was donated by Emergency Response Services for Latin America to assist countries in Latin America. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexy Saltekoff)

CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA 2010

Students and teachers involved in the Africa Aerospace and Defense Youth Development Program make their way to the C-17 Globemaster III static display during the air and trade show held at Ysterplaat Air Force Base, Cape Town South Africa. Members of the 315th Airlift Wing Charelston Air Force Base, S.C., maintained the staic display Sept. 21-25 and shared with local South African students on the missions and capabilities of the C-17. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Joe Simms)

CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA 2010

Master Sgt. George Counts, a loadmaster with the 317th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base S.C., expains the features of the C-17 Globemaster III to a member of the Africa Aerospace and Defense Youth Development Program at Ysterplaat Air Force Base, Cape Town South Africa. The program, which focuses on getting young people the tools they need to excel in South Africa's aviation and defense industries, coincided with the five day air and trade show Sept 21-25. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Joe Simms)