USAF demonstrates capabilities in European theater

By Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs / Published July 20, 2017

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 6

A U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Interim Armored Vehicle Stryker drives out of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Plovidv Airport, Bulgaria, July 14, 2017. U.S. Air Forces in Europe airlift will also deliver Stryker vehicles in support of upcoming exercises Swift Response 17-1 and Saber Guardian 17. These U.S. led multinational exercises ensure high readiness forces can respond to any threat or crisis in a timely manner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 6

U.S. Air Force Reserve 2nd Lt. Reily Finnelly, 97th Airlift Squadron pilot, flies a C-17 Globemaster III to transport U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Interim Armored Vehicle Strykers to Plovdiv Airport, Bulgaria, July 14, 2017. The U.S. Air Force's capability for rapid mobility allows U.S. and allied power to be projected quickly to anywhere on the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 6

Two U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Interim Armored Vehicle Strykers are loaded into a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III to be delivered to Bulgaria at Nuremburg Airport, Germany, July 13, 2017. Delivering Stryker vehicles to Bulgaria is an example of how assets are ready and postured to assure, deter, and respond as a joint and combined team in the event a U.S. response is required. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 6

A U.S. Army soldier prepares to drive a U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Interim Armored Vehicle Stryker out of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Plovdiv Airport, Bulgaria, July 13, 2017. The U.S. Air Force's capability for rapid mobility allows U.S. and allied power to be projected quickly to anywhere on the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 6

A U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Interim Armored Vehicle Stryker drives out of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Plovdiv Airport, Bulgaria, July 14, 2017. Delivering Stryker vehicles to Bulgaria is an example of how assets are ready and postured to assure, deter, and respond as a joint and combined team in the event a U.S. response is required. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 6 of 6

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tomas Cubilla, 435th Contingency Response Squadron mobile aerial port journeyman, hooks the underside of a U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Interim Armored Vehicle Stryker to the floor of a U.S Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Nuremburg Airport, Germany, July 13, 2017. U.S. Air Forces in Europe provides flexible and rapid airlift capability to the U.S. Army in support of vehicle repositioning, testing, and training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tryphena Mayhugh)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen based here flew in a C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, to deliver U.S. Army 2nd Calvary Regiment Stryker vehicles from Nuremburg, Germany to Plovdiv, Bulgaria July 14.

The U.S. Air Force airlift provides the capability to deploy armed forces and assets anywhere in the world within hours. U.S. Air Forces in Europe works with Air Mobility Command and supports a total force effort to execute rapid global mobility and enable global reach.

While in the European theater, USAFE and AMC Airmen and aircraft support global reach by focusing on four core mission areas: airlift, air refueling, air mobility support and aeromedical evacuation to support NATO Allies and partners and ensure a strong Europe.

“This is our unit's first time working with the Air Force to transition equipment,” said U.S. Army Capt. Jared D. Moore, 2nd Calvary Regiment outlaw troop commander. “Typically we move by rail or road march, so this was out first time trying this system out. It’s actually been a very easy, straightforward system for us in terms of how it’s gone and the assistance the Air Force has given us to help get our equipment on the planes.”

This patchwork crew demonstrates the total and diverse force that can come together and complete any mission put before them.

“We have the airplanes that are able to move the Army’s equipment and personnel where they need to go,” said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Reily Finnelly, 97th AS pilot. “It’s interesting being based out of Ramstein for the month because we’re on-call for whatever comes up. With this mission, we could be that resource to move what they needed to move.”

Delivering 2nd Cavalry Regiment Stryker vehicles to Bulgaria is an example of how assets are ready and postured to assure, deter, and respond as a joint and combined team in the event a U.S. response is required.

The crewmembers aboard the C-17 were comprised from the 97th Airlift Squadron and 313th Airlift Squadron, 446th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord; 729th Airlift Squadron, 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, California; and the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.