Members of the 76th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, have returned home with their Gulfstream C-20H distinguished visitor transport aircraft from Afghanistan, marking completion of this aircraft type’s first-ever deployment to a combat zone. The unit supported the ISAF commander over the course of the 10-month tour, providing him, his staff, and US and Afghan dignitaries with priority transport. In all, the squadron clocked 310 sorties and 700 flying hours while transporting 95 dignitaries and 1,100 passengers during that span, including the US ambassador and Afghan President, and NATO’s secretary general. Ramstein crews rotated every 90 days, fulfilling the role “despite a 30 [percent] to 40 percent turnover,” said Capt. Erik Carlson, 76th AS aircraft commander. They trained “aggressively” at Ramstein in preparation for deploying, while simultaneously managing their DV-hauling duties at home in Europe. (Ramstein report by SrA. Scott Saldukas)
Celebrating 100 Years of Liquid-Fueled Rockets
March 11, 2026
March 16, 2026, marks 100 years since Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Over the past century, new and ever more capable liquid-fueled rockets have literally propelled humanity into space. Why liquid-fueled rockets?