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21st AF commander lauds C-17 humanitarian airdrops

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (USTCNS) --- The 21st Air Force commander visited here Dec. 28 to personally thank Team Charleston for its participation in humanitarian airdrops and to announce the end of the program.

Maj. Gen. George N. Williams, who made the trip from McGuire AFB, N.J., praised the bases' contributions in humanitarian daily rations drops and spoke about current and future operations tempo.

Approximately 80 of the 130 airmen providing C-17 support for Operation Enduring Freedom returned to Charleston and McChord AFB, Wash., Dec. 23. Although the airdrops have stopped, Williams said humanitarian items are still being delivered by different means.

"The reason we're able to draw down on the airdrops is because we've been able to establish over-land routes, and that's the preferred way to do that," said Williams. "But we're always on stand by here in case the roads don't work out or weather becomes a factor; whatever would cause us not to be able to use land routes. We can always go back (to airdrops). Charleston is ready."

The HDR drops, which began Oct. 7, officially ended Dec. 21, according to Lt. Col. John Zazworsky, 15th Airlift Squadron commander and final HDR drop mission commander. During that time, 200 missions were launched without a single delay or maintenance cancellation, and more than 2.4 million HDRs were delivered.

While many C-17 firsts were recently accomplished, Williams said the HDR drops over Afghanistan were the first high-altitude drops of any type of cargo for the C-17. The drops proved successful.

"The airplane was built for exactly the types of things we're using it for. It and the crews have performed magnificently," said Williams. "It was almost visionary when we built this airplane, that we would build an airplane so suited for what we're using it for now."
The C-17's performance highlights the reasons it's the airlifter of the future, according to Williams. He said McGuire is currently the base of preference for future C-17s, but nothing is finalized.

"We've learned to rely on Charleston as a team, and the folks who are here and have experience," said Williams. "The people here are the very best. We know that when we ask, they'll figure out how to do it right and do it safely."

(FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

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