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Hitching a Ride on Behemoth Russian Airlifter

April 26, 2007

The California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing loaded three HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and assorted equipment aboard a Russian civilian An-124 heavy transport aircraft for the unit’s deployment to Afghanistan. The Air Force’s C-17 fleet is fully engaged in Southwest Asia, so only one could support the 129th RQW on this deployment, reports Capt. Alyson Teeter. The C-17, flown and operated by Air Force Reservists from McChord AFB, Wash., transported the Air Guardsmen.

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