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18 AF Airmen provide rapid global mobility during Exercise Ultimate Reach

U.S. Army paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, load onto U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 3, 2015, Pope Army Airfield, N.C. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 paratroopers across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza, Spain. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Army paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, load onto U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 3, 2015, Pope Army Airfield, N.C. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 paratroopers across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza, Spain. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division parachute from C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for a joint forcible entry operation during the Joint Land Heavy Military Demonstration of Operation Trident Juncture; the largest NATO exercise conducted in the past 20 years, near San Gregorio, Spain, Nov. 4, 2015. U.S. and NATO forces remain engaged, postured and ready to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Hull)

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division parachute from C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for a joint forcible entry operation during the Joint Land Heavy Military Demonstration of Operation Trident Juncture; the largest NATO exercise conducted in the past 20 years, near San Gregorio, Spain, Nov. 4, 2015. U.S. and NATO forces remain engaged, postured and ready to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Hull)

Approximately 200 members from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division partnered with 18th Air Force’s Joint Base Charleston, S.C., C-17 Globemaster III crews for a practice jump over Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 2, 2015, in preparation for Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8 in Spain. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force’s transportation units to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This year’s rendition of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, which is currently being held throughout locations in Europe. The exercise serves to enhance the 18th Air Force’s interoperability and partnership with NATO allies and sister services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Reel)

Approximately 200 members from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division partnered with 18th Air Force’s Joint Base Charleston, S.C., C-17 Globemaster III crews for a practice jump over Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Nov. 2, 2015, in preparation for Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8 in Spain. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force’s transportation units to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This year’s rendition of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, which is currently being held throughout locations in Europe. The exercise serves to enhance the 18th Air Force’s interoperability and partnership with NATO allies and sister services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Reel)

A KC-10 Extender refuels a C-17 Globemaster III over the Atlantic Ocean during Exercise Ultimate Reach, part of Exercise Trident Juncture, Nov. 4, 2015. The mission involved eight KC-10s meeting seven C-17s over the Atlantic, refueling in a large formation overnight. The KC-10s offloaded on average 6,000 gallons of fuel into each C-17, who were then able to continue on across the Atlantic, drop more than 500 airborne troops in Spain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua King/released)

A KC-10 Extender refuels a C-17 Globemaster III over the Atlantic Ocean during Exercise Ultimate Reach, part of Exercise Trident Juncture, Nov. 4, 2015. The mission involved eight KC-10s meeting seven C-17s over the Atlantic, refueling in a large formation overnight. The KC-10s offloaded on average 6,000 gallons of fuel into each C-17, who were then able to continue on across the Atlantic, drop more than 500 airborne troops in Spain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua King/released)

U.S. Army Paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, load onto U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 3, 2015, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Army Paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, load onto U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 3, 2015, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Army Paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, prepare to load onto U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 3, 2015, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Army Paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, prepare to load onto U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 3, 2015, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force aerial port Airmen assigned to the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron, check passenger manifest forms listing over 500 U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force aerial port Airmen assigned to the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron, check passenger manifest forms listing over 500 U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Akers, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, checks the static line used to open parachutes automatically for paratroopers during a preflight inspection during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Akers, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 16th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, checks the static line used to open parachutes automatically for paratroopers during a preflight inspection during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, are loaded with cargo and over 500 U.S. Army Paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, are loaded with cargo and over 500 U.S. Army Paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Beazley, an aircraft maintenance production superintendent assigned to the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron, fills out C-17 Globemaster III aircraft maintenance forms during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Beazley, an aircraft maintenance production superintendent assigned to the 43rd Air Mobility Squadron, fills out C-17 Globemaster III aircraft maintenance forms during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Alexander Hutcheson, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, conducts aircraft preflight checks during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)
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U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Alexander Hutcheson, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, conducts aircraft preflight checks during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Spears, a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft loadmaster assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, guides the loading of U.S. Army T-11 parachutes onto the aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Spears, a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft loadmaster assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, guides the loading of U.S. Army T-11 parachutes onto the aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Scripture, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 43rd Operations Support Squadron, lowers the cargo ramp on a C-17 aircraft in preparation for loading of U.S. Army T-11 parachutes onto the aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)
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U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Scripture, a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster assigned to the 43rd Operations Support Squadron, lowers the cargo ramp on a C-17 aircraft in preparation for loading of U.S. Army T-11 parachutes onto the aircraft during exercise Ultimate Reach Nov.3, on Green Ramp, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. Eighteenth Air Force units, partnered with the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, are participating in Exercise Ultimate Reach Nov. 2-8. Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This iteration of Ultimate Reach partners with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture, currently being held in locations across Europe. C-17 crews from Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, will fly more than 500 Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team across the Atlantic to conduct a joint forcible entry exercise over Zaragoza Spain. KC-10 aerial refueler crews from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Travis Air Force Base, California, will provide refueling support during the mission. The exercise serves to enhance 18th Air Force's interoperability and teamwork with NATO allies and sister services. More than 5,000 U.S. service members are participating in Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise are being conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture is the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and serves as an annual NATO Response Force certification exercise for 2016. Trident Juncture formally ends Nov. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marvin Krause)

POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, N.C. -- Eighteenth Air Force Airmen and seven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft converged on Green Ramp Nov. 3 to provide rapid global mobility support for the 82nd Airborne Division during Exercise Ultimate Reach 16-01.

Ultimate Reach is an annual U.S. Transportation Command-sponsored live-fly exercise designed to exercise the ability of 18th Air Force (Air Forces Transportation) to plan and conduct strategic airdrop missions. This year's Ultimate Reach exercise was combined with NATO Exercise Trident Juncture held at several locations across Europe.

Exercise Trident Juncture was the largest NATO exercise conducted in the last 20 years and demonstrated the collective capabilities of the alliance to deter aggression and, if deterrence fails, respond.

C-17 aircrews from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, flew over 500 Paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team to execute a Joint Forcible Entry exercise in Zaragoza, Spain, on Nov. 4.

Eight KC-10 Extender refueling aircraft from Travis AFB, California, and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, provided in-flight refueling over the Atlantic Ocean for the C-17s during their nine-hour flight to Spain and during their return flight to Fort Bragg for another airdrop on Nov. 7.

"I think Ultimate Reach is really just an outstanding opportunity for the Air Force and the Army to work together to practice deploying the Global Response Force," said Col. John Lamontagne, the Air Force mission commander for this exercise and 437th Airlift Wing commander from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. "This exercise is also an outstanding opportunity to work with NATO to assure and demonstrate to both our allies and our adversaries exactly what we can do."

As the mission commander, Lamontagne provided oversight for the safe execution of the whole formation.

"If asked to execute the GRF on a very short timeline, 96-hours typically, we could do it," said Lamontagne. "It would be a big lift and a lot of work, and that's why we practice with the 82nd all the time. The work with the 43rd Airlift Group and the 82nd here will pay dividends when we need to go on a real-world operation."

America's Global Response Force provides combatant commanders with critical options to respond to international crises, but cannot do so without trained and validated support from its joint Air Force partners. This exercise is another example of that constant training.

The coordination and planning for Exercise Ultimate Reach began in January by planners from the 15th, 16th, and 17th Airlift Squadrons, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, the Tanker Airlift Control Center, 618th Air Operations Center and Air Mobility Command Plans and Exercises, Scott AFB, Illinois, 2nd Air Refueling Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, 43rd Airlift Group and the 82nd Abn. Div., Fort Bragg, North Carolina, NATO and European Command.

"This is the first large exercise I've ever planned," said Capt. Daniel Naske, the Air Force lead planner from the 15th AS. "I met with the 82nd Abn. Div. and AMC exercise planners to start laying the groundwork on how we were going to execute this exercise which included land, sea and air movements--all sorts of integration going on. Essentially, we're crossing the ocean in a block of airspace that we are cleared to fly in because it's not very standard to have seven airplanes in close proximity to one another flying the same route of flight. All of that coordination was done at the TACC. We gave them our requirements and then they coordinated through the air route traffic control centers in New York and Santa Maria, and then with USAFE altitude reservation planners just to make sure that route of flight was good in Spain."

Planning for the international exercise didn't come without obstacles for Naske.

"Some obstacles I had to overcome was just learning who I need to talk to get things moving in the right direction, but once people were identified, everyone that I have worked with has been incredible." Naske said. "The nice part about the air-refueling piece, early on, we identified Capt. Tom Dunn from McGuire, who is the lead air-refueling planner and he's done a phenomenal job keeping us in the loop. Having that planner identified early on and being on the same page has alleviated a lot of the problems that we could have had. With these international exercises, there's an added piece of complexity that I had to work through because I hadn't done it before but like I said, everybody was very willing to help out and very enthusiastic about helping me get this to execution," said Naske.

More than 5,000 U.S. service members participated in Exercise Trident Juncture. Elements of the exercise were conducted in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and at sea. Trident Juncture formally ended on Nov. 6.