The Air Force’s 218th production C-17 arrived for beddown at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., earlier this month. Col. Bruce Bowers, commander of Air Force Reserve Command’s 446th Airlift Wing, piloted the factory-fresh airlifter from Boeing’s assembly plant in Long Beach, Calif., to McChord Field on Sept. 14, according to a Sept. 21 base release. The 446th AW cooperates with the Active Duty 62nd AW to operate and maintain McChord’s three C-17 flying squadrons. The Air Force has ordered 224 C-17s. (McChord photo caption by Sandra Pishner)
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.