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Air mobility continues record setting pace

  • Published
  • By Capt Frank Hartnett
  • USAFCENT Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Continuing to feed, fuel and arm the fight, September marked the fourth consecutive month in an escalation of supplies airdropped by the U.S. Air Force to U.S. Servicemembers, coalition partners and local citizens across Afghanistan. 

In total, 4.1 million pounds of goods were dropped to forward operating bases, combat outposts and other austere locations in support of ground forces. This tops August's record 3.8 million pounds of supplies delivered and brings the four month total to 14.5 million pounds. 

"The increase in airdropped supplies reflects the Air Force's ability to adapt to support shifting conditions on the ground and provide direct support to the forces actively engaged in counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan," said Col. Keith Boone, Air Mobility Division Director at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center. 

Shifting tactics has placed more ground units in remote locations, far from roads and other supply routes, leaving air delivery the only option. 

"For a mobility pilot, there is no better feeling than delivering the ammo, water and food to our ground forces," said Lt. Col. Jon Olekszyk, Air Mobility Division, Chief of Mobility operations, Combined Air and Space Operations Center. "They can't continue without the essentials, it's our job to make sure the Marine corporal has ammo for his M-4, fresh chow and clean water to keep him going."