McChord crew flies millionth sortie since 9/11

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  • By 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Air Mobility Command passed a major milestone Nov. 18, when an AMC aircraft flew the command's one millionth sortie since September 11, 2001. 

The landmark mission occurred when the 62nd Airlift Wing's 10th Airlift Squadron flew a C- 17 Globemaster III to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. The 10th AS is currently deployed as the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. 

Capt. Chris Mazzei and co-pilot Capt. Jason Helton flew the aircraft while loadmasters Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Thompson and Airman 1st Class Gary Woo kept a close eye on the cargo. 

The historic mission consisted of transporting parachutes, medical supplies, and frozen turkeys into theater, and moving coalition members out of theater to Manas. The crew didn't learn of the milestone until the next day, Captain Mazzei said. 

"This is a tremendous honor for us," Captain Mazzei said. "Looking back on the actual cargo we carried during the overall mission and that particular sortie, we thought it was a great representation of the many types of missions AMC does every day -- theater direct delivery, airdrop, aeromedical ops, air refueling and passenger movement. We are very proud to be part of it." 

"AMC is firmly in the fight," said Gen. Arthur Lichte, AMC commander. "Whether it's flying airlift, tanker or aeromedical missions in and out of combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, humanitarian relief missions to hurricane and earthquake ravaged areas, or supporting UN peacekeeping missions as it did recently in Darfur, AMC is there." 

"I'm extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of McChord's Airmen," said Col. Jerry Martinez, 62nd AW commander. "This particular sortie is incredibly significant, but our Airmen are always out there accomplishing the mission whether it is for the first time or the millionth time." 

A sortie is defined as a single takeoff and landing. The milestone includes all operational missions, training missions and commercial contract missions flown by the command.