C-17 Facts: Everything You Need To Know

C-17 Airdrop

C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 437th and 315th airlift wings drop cargo at a remote airfield during a strategic brigade airdrop exercise involving a 13-ship formation Dec. 18 from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. C-17s must be able to meet the Army's goal of airdropping a brigade's worth of troops and equipment (about 3,250 Soldiers and 3,450 tons of equipment). Charleston AFB aircraft currently account for half of the Air Force strategic brigade airdrop requirement

Airdrops are one of the primary features the C-17 was designed for. The C-17 can drop a single 60,000-pound payload, with sequential load drops of 110,000 pounds. The Loadmaster is in charge of loading and balancing the cargo properly. An airdrop is usually a coordinated effort between the Air Force and the Army. “The airdrop represents a very significant mission — delivering needed supplies while reducing the burden and risk on our Army helicopter and maintenance crews,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Beville, 3rd Infantry Division Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade.