Welcome to this feature on Fluctus Channel. This feature will discusse some of the characteristics of the C-17 Globemaster as a strategic transport aircraft and shows how the US loads heavy cargo and transports them using the C-17

I was a 2T2 and 605 in a previous life, worked on every airlifter in the USAF inventory. Moving tanks with a C-17 is an incredible waste of money, unless it's strictly for training. I think a C-17 can safely carry 2 Abrams tanks, so picking up and moving 2 tanks somewhere close to a battle zone doesn't pass the common sense test. And no one's going to land a C-17 on a dirt strip close to the fight, despite what its capabilities are touted as. It's too expensive of a weapon system to jeopardize like that.

While a mid-level NCO in the Army and stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, I was one of two in our unit designated as a load planner. This was for ships, rail and air. Having every single piece of equipment being weighed 24hrs/day until everything is either at the port, flight line or railhead, was exhausting. These planes are even larger when you are loading them. Especially the C5 Galaxy.

Piloting during the drop of 8 Humvees must be a white knuckle experience. Having the weight of the craft drop by that many tons so swiftly, and having it happen so asymmetrically? And that doesn't even touch on what might happen if the roll out gets fouled.