An air bridge to Afghanistan is growing more important

[unhappycamper]

An air bridge to Afghanistan is growing more important
By Chuck Crumbo | The State
Posted on Sunday, October 18, 2009

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The C-5A transport's four engines let out a collective groan as the gigantic plane lifted off the runway and climbed into the evening sky, hugging the South Carolina coastline.

Inside the plane's cavernous cargo bay -- strapped to its steel deck -- were two vehicle simulators, designed to teach U.S. troops how to survive rollover crashes, and pallets of food and water.

In less than 24 hours, the cargo would reach Afghanistan for distribution to remote U.S. bases on the country's desert floor and rocky cliffs.

For eight years, Charleston has been a starting point for the 7,500-mile-long air bridge to the Afghan war.

Eleven times a day, on average, Air Force C-5 and C-17 military transport aircraft take off from Charleston for Afghanistan.


Rest of article at: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/world/story/77360.html



unhappycamper comment: 8 x 365 x 11 = 32,120 flights to Afghanistan. That's gotta be burning some gas.

[Obamanaut]

1. I would rather see the air bridge bringing the troops home. nt

[madokie]

2. Bring our kids home is what I want

anything short of that is failure. What did we, you and I get out of our time of putting our lives on the line back then, how was what we went through then impacted our lives today. I'm not talking so much about you or me or the rest of our fellow comrades, we know what we brought home, what we got out of it, and not much of it was good, I'm asking about the rest of the country. What did America gain from our war?

A lot of dead, dying, pain and hardship, but no where do I see good, no where.


C-5a I remember seeing the only one I guess I've ever seen in person. It landed at Naval Air Facility Cam Rahn Bay Vietnam and it dwarfed the B52 that was setting there on the tarmac. Until someone has seen one of them in person I think it would be difficult to take in all the size that plane has. HUGE is the word.