Several Canadian Leopard tanks got a ride on the C-17 “Spirit of McChord” transport going into Kandahar AB, Afghanistan from Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan. The 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron’s Det. 1 from McChord AFB, Wash., moved the tanks and supporting equipment into Afghanistan for Canadian ground forces supporting the NATO mission. The 30-foot long, 100,000-pound tanks were positioned and secured by C-17 loadmasters before the flight using chains, tie-down mechanisms, and rings on the cargo floor to make sure the tanks and C-17 aircraft were not damaged. NATO plans to buy its own new C-17s in the near future.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
