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Travis "Freedom Launch" hones skills, remembers 9/11

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Madelyn Brown
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Travis conducted a mass launch of 22 mobility aircraft Sept.11, to practice the maximum level of combat capability for the operations, maintenance, and support groups.

During the operation, dubbed the Freedom Launch, seven C-17 Globemaster IIIs, 11 KC-10A Extenders, and four C-5 Galaxies departed in 36 minutes and 21 seconds on both operational and training missions. The training emphasized large-formation aerial refueling and tested operations support, aircraft maintenance, fuels and air traffic control capabilities.

Prior to take off, the maintenance group ensured the aircraft were ready to fly. Preparing for the Freedom Launch required an unprecedented magnitude of effort by the group.

"The Freedom Launch was a total team effort for the MXG," said Col. Mark Weber, 60th Maintenance Group commander. "Our active duty, Reserve, civilians, maintenance technicians, and aerial port specialists generated 22 launches. Such volume of three heavy airframe types has never before been generated and launched by a single owning organization."

Not only was the operation record setting for the maintenance group, it was also the largest mass launch of three types of aircraft in the history of Travis, according to Mark Wilderman, 60th AMW historian.

Once in the air, the aircrew completed various formations, air refuelings, and contingency rejoins to practice precision fundamentals at maximum levels while maintaining safety.

"A lot of pride and ownership from all agencies across the wing went into this launch," said Col. David Mott, 60th Operations Group commander. "We cannot wait to do it again and next time with 23 jets."

Had all 22 aircraft been carrying the maximum cargo amount at take off, the Freedom Launch would have moved more than 4.1 million pounds of cargo, and with the aerial refueling that cargo could be delivered anywhere in the world.

"It was a team effort and symbol for not only the Airmen in the wing, but it also demonstrated a capability that we're always ready," Mott said.

For Weber, the operations that Travis Airmen handle on a daily basis is evidence of their ability to tackle any challenge. Even with empty cargo bays the weight of all the aircraft combined results in a staggering amount.

"Our love, energy, audacity and passion for what we do on a daily basis just delivered more than 8 million pounds of thundering airpower," Weber said.

The Freedom Launch also served as a remembrance of 9/11, as the first C-17 took off at 8:46 a.m., the same time American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower on Sept. 11, 2001.

"Showing people the capabilities of the Air Force 12 years after 9/11 is appropriate because it shows that our resolve is still strong," said Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Farmer, 9th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator.

Farmer had yet to join the military when the twin towers were attacked. At the time, he worked in a pickle mill in Oregon, and was not allowed breaks to hear the news developments on 9/11. He would join the service two years later.

"At the end of the day, I think I must've been influenced by it," Farmer said. "Even if it wasn't a conscious influence, how could something as terrible as that event not leave an impact?"

As Farmer recounted his day on Sept. 11, 2001 and operated the boom to accomplish multiple aerial refueling from one end of the jet, the pilot flying the jet shared similar sentiments.

Lt. Col. Thad Middleton, 9th ARS commander, was already in the service when 9/11 occurred. He was a copilot in the 39th Airlift Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and was immediately called to alert when the towers were struck.

"We had wheels up in 50 minutes," Middleton said. "We were tasked to carry a portion of a Tactical Airlift Control Element to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. where they boarded an aircraft to fly to a forward operating location. The attack on the towers reinforced why I was in the service. It promoted a feeling that was already there."

In regards to the mass launch, it was an honor to partake in such a historic event on such an emotional and memorable day in the nation's history, he said. As a squadron commander, it was a tremendous opportunity to share such an event with the members of the Gucci squadron.

Another KC-10 pilot, Capt. Ryan Cunningham, was a freshman and Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.

"Suddenly we were dismissed from chemistry class and no one knew why," Cunningham said. "On the walk back to the dorms we heard something about a plane crash and by the time we made it to the dorm, the television was on and we saw the second plane hit. Since we were in New York state, lots of people had family members in the New York City area.

"I just remember wondering what was going to happen," he said. "It was a hectic time, but I took pride in joining a force to fight this."

Cunningham has participated in mass launches prior to Wednesday's, but never in one so large.

"I was super proud to be involved in the Travis Freedom Launch," he said. "I thought it was a fitting way to commemorate 9/11."

Capt. Derek Grenier, 9th Air Refueling Squadron evaluator pilot, did not see the devastation of 9/11 on TV. He was a block away from the towers when they collapsed, and had to run to escape the massive cloud of smoke, dust and rubble that overtook the surrounding area.

"My instinct took over and I knew I just had to keep running," Grenier said.

Eventually Grenier made it to the Hudson River where he found safety on the Staten Island ferry.

It's one of those days that is so terrible, it needs to be remembered and commemorated, he said. The Freedom Launch was a great way to do this and it is an honor to have been a part of it.