A Stryker from Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is driven onto an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Peterson Air Force Base Sept. 16, 2016. (Phots by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)
By Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo
Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircrew members and Soldiers from Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, begin to secure a Stryker in the aircraft at Peterson Air Force Base Sept. 16, 2016. (Phots by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
An Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane strained under the altitude and weight of two 22-ton Strykers as it took off from Peterson Air Force Base Sept. 16, 2016.
Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, worked with Airmen from the 3rd Airlift Squadron out of Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, to load and secure two Strykers onto the aircraft during the joint training emergency deployment exercise.
“I have learned you have to plan far in advance for this to be successful training,” said 2nd Lt. Mishonta Flowers, unit movement officer, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg. “Working hand in hand with the Air Force makes the process go smoothly. Doing all the pre-inspections before getting out here makes sure the Strykers are good to go. It has been a very good learning experience so far.”
After the vehicles were weighed and their center of balance determined, the Strykers were loaded onto the C-17 and tied down with heavy chains.
“I learned how to load a Stryker onto an aircraft, (how) to strap it down and the requirements before we take flight,” said Spc. Paul Joseph, vehicle commander, Company B, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg.
Soldiers sitting less than a foot away from their Stryker put on their lap belt before takeoff.
“For the loadmaster, it’s integrating with the Army and the Air Force guys that are here being able to tie down a super heavy vehicle like the Stryker, making sure the cargo is not shifting at all. We don’t see Strykers often out of Dover, it’s more a port type of thing; more pallets and passengers,” said Air Force Capt. Mike Knapp, aircraft commander and pilot instructor, 3rd Airlift Squadron. “Integrating with the Army is something they don’t see (often); this is expanding their knowledge so that when they go to Iraq or Afghanistan and (a Stryker) rolls up they have experience with it now.”
The Globemaster III took off with its crew, the two Strykers and the Stryker crews for a short flight, proving 1st SBCT’s ability to rapidly deploy anywhere they are needed in the world.
“My Soldiers and I have always understood rapid deployment as a concept (but) to actually … see them perform the task gave me a good feeling,” said 1st Sgt. James McCall, Company B, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg.
Strykers from Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stage two Stryker vehicles at Peterson Air Force Base Sept. 16, 2016. (Phots by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)