Air Force uses C-17 to deliver Army assets overseas

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  It is unusual to see a C-17 Globemaster III airlifter on the ramp of Columbus Air Force Base in northeast Mississippi - but it was a history making, Mississippi heavy, event.

The C-17, assigned to the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing in Jackson, Miss, loaded helicopters manufactured nearby for the U.S. Army for delivery overseas. This marked the first time the new light utility helicopters, which are manufactured by American Eurocopter, in Columbus, Miss., near Columbus AFB, were transferred directly overseas via Air Force transport. The C-17 and it's payload of five Lakota's departed Columbus AFB April 12 after several days of on-site preparation.

Traditionally, after being accepted by the Army, pilots will self-deploy the helicopters from their manufacturing area to locations around the contiguous United States, said Chief Warrant Officer Five John Jones, acceptance pilot for the Army Light Utility Helicopter Program.

Chief Jones said this group of Lakota's was different because they were being sent directly to their service locations overseas due to a combination of timing and need.

"Fortunately, there is an Air Force Base close by, and everyone has come out to help us with this," Chief Jones said.

The chief said the help of the Air Force and other services is crucial for some missions.

"(The mission) flat can't be done if all the services don't work jointly," he said.

The UH-72 Lakota is a light utility helicopter used for medivac, wartime support and field training, and is stationed at locations all over the U.S. and other locations worldwide.