Into the blue

Seven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft fly east of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., after performing a low-level pass during a training mission May 14, 2013. During the mission, 300 requirements were met to keep loadmasters and pilots certified. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Airdrop

C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., airdrop pallets into a drop zone during a training mission May 14, 2013. Pilots maintained an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet for each airdrop. Pilots and loadmasters simulated and practiced dropping container delivery system bundles, heavy equipment and simulated personnel within the drop zone during formation flight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
C-17s in step

Capt. Donald Frey, 7th Airlift Squadron pilot, keeps a watchful eye on the lead C-17 Globemaster III aircraft May 14, 2013, during a 7-ship formation flight at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The training mission incorporated numerous multi-element training scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Drop zone ahead

Seven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., fly in formation May 14, 2013 toward a drop zone east of Moses Lake, Wash. Airdrops allow the Air Force to deliver supplies to troops in remote locations as well as supply humanitarian support to other nations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
1200-foot view

Staff Sgt. Christopher Sicotte, 7th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, watches the sunset May 14, 2013 from the ramp of a C-17 Globemaster III following an airdrop over Moses Lake, Wash. Loadmasters are responsible for ensuring cargo and personnel are properly loaded and situated in the aircraft, monitoring the cargo or personnel throughout the flight and ensuring safe airdrops and personnel jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Midair refueling

A C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker for midair refueling during a training mission May 14, 2013. Pilots practiced maintaining flight controls while the KC-135 boom operator attempts to attached refueling boom. Pilots were able to meet essential training requirements for performing nighttime midair refueling to maintain their certifications. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
NVG landing

Pilots assigned to the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., perform nighttime formation flying during a training mission May 14, 2013. The pilots utilized the darkness to perform landings using night vision goggles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Fly-by

Seven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft perform a low-level pass May 14, 2013 over Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Airmen from the 7th Airlift Squadron flew a 7-ship formation flight lasting more than seven hours. Pilots had to maintain a distance of 2,000 feet away from each aircraft to avoid turbulence from each other. The aircraft were also required to be at a 500-foot difference in altitude from each other. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
One at a time

C-17 Globemaster III aircraft takeoff one at a time May 14, 2013 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Airmen from the 7th Airlift Squadron conducted training where they flew seven C-17s in formation, conducted heavy equipment airdrops, low-level operations, midair refueling and landing using night vision goggles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Taxi

Seven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft taxi to the runway prior to takeoff May 14, 2013 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Frances Kriss)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
CDS bundle

A simulated container delivery system bundle is packed and ready to be dropped from a C-17 Globemaster III during a training mission May 14, 2013 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Each airdrop is carefully calculated to ensure cargo lands in the designated drop zone. Loadmasters during the mission were able to meet their training requirements for heavy equipment rigging and airdrops. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

7-ship training mission takes flight

Published May 17, 2013

Into the blue

Airdrop

C-17s in step

Drop zone ahead

1200-foot view

Midair refueling

NVG landing

Fly-by

One at a time

Taxi

CDS bundle