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Altus AFB supports Operation Odyssey Dawn

  • Published
  • By 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs and about a dozen military and civilian Airmen left today to support Operation Odyssey Dawn as part of the ongoing operations in Libya.

The two aircrews will transport cargo to help the build-up of coalition forces at a variety of NATO and U.S. air bases and ongoing operations in support of OOD, which includes operations in and around Libya.

The 97th Air Mobility Wing is able to support real-world contingencies around the globe with its ties to 19th Air Force and the Tanker Airlift Control Center, U.S. Transportation Command's arm for executing planned transportation taskings.

"Our Airmen are always eager to support real-world operations and this opportunity to assist with Operation Odyssey Dawn is no different," said Lt. Col. Christopher Maddox, 58th Airlift Squadron commander. "Delivering cargo is what we train to do every day, so I have no doubt that our outstanding aircrews and maintenance professionals will prove to be an asset to the joint team."

The Airmen providing airlift support include pilots, loadmasters and civilian maintainers.

"We don't get the opportunity to do this very often," said Capt. Jeremy J. Farlaino, 97th Training Squadron chief of C-17 wing training and one of the aircraft commanders headed to support OOD. "There is a sign you see as you go out of the squadron that says 'tomorrow's combat airlift starts today' - and usually for most of us, that means training that next war fighter. But today, we get to actually practice what we teach, so it is a pretty exciting time for Altus."