During 20
06, the Air Force mobility crowd amassed some impressive stats for passengers delivered and cargo hauled. The total for all aircraft types—C-5, C-17, C-130, KC-10, KC-135, and commercial charters—is 1.4 million passengers and nearly 500,000 short tons of cargo. Of the three 
USAF primary airlifters, the C-17 was the chief workhorse, hauling some 470,000 passengers and more than 250,000 tons of supplies and equipment. The well-worn KC-135 tanker fleet airlifted more people (6,003 vs. 1,794) but less cargo (313 vs. 1,909) than the service’s newer and largest tanker/airlifter hybrid, the KC-10.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
