Two US Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs arrived from New York with a total of three helicopters, 50 tons of equipment, and 50 pararescuemen and maintenance personnel to attend the Red Flag-Rescue exercise.

US Air Force Senior Airman Kyle George commented: “The Red Flag mission went very well and everyone knew exactly what they were supposed to do. Our load and aircrew teams executed the download of the three helicopters and pallets safely in a timely manner.”

CDF’s part in Red Flag-Rescue verifies Davis-Monthan’s rapid mobility at a moment’s notice by ensuring personnel and equipment make it to their final destination.

Tech Sgt Louis Ferrara, 355th LRS Air Transportation Section Chief, said: “Our actions as aerial porters ensure that we can move cargo and passengers from any location in the world to the site of global conflict within hours of an incident. Our part was to accept all helicopters, assets and passengers to Davis-Monthan, generate load plans, manifests and complete a joint inspection to ensure that all cargo is air worthy. Finally, we supplied proper upload of the helicopter and other equipment for re-deployment.”

It is important for CDF Airmen to be able to load and unload cargo while also maintaining safety standards in support of the mission.

“I learned how to safely download three helicopters from a C-17,” George said. “The mission of working the aircraft and downloading the helicopters will help prepare not only myself, but all of the Airmen here.”

Red Flag-Rescue will allow aircrew and operators from across the US the opportunity to hone their high-end readiness. The exercise is focused on CSAR planning, the Air Force’s preferred planning methodology for providing personnel recovery. The exercise allows for Air Force assets to operate after the initial days of a conflict where it becomes possible for forces to conduct CSAR operations. Units from the US Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and Army and coalition partners from around the globe will collaborate for the two-week exercise.