Reserves take on extra airlift job in Europe

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A C-17 Globemaster III awaits loading on the parking ramp at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Sunday, March 19, 2006.


Reserves take on extra airlift job in Europe
By Seamus O’Connor - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Feb 16, 2008 7:11:07 EST

Faced with increasing airlift demands, U.S. Air Forces in Europe has forged a compromise that is bringing two C-17s to the theater on a rotating basis.

The newly formed C-17 unit, designated the 779th Expeditionary Airlift Flight and based at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, completed its first mission Feb. 1, transporting NATO troops from Naples, Italy, to Baghdad.

Air Mobility Command is providing the planes and Air Force Reserve Command is providing the crews for the 779th, all of whose members will come on a volunteer basis.

The first C-17 of the first rotation arrived Jan. 29 from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., along with two reserve crews from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. The second C-17 is expected in the spring along with two other crews, though officials did not say which bases would provide the assets.

New crews and planes will rotate in every four months. Maintenance will be provided by Ramstein’s 723rd Air Mobility Squadron.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_europe_c17s_020816/