Queens of the skies

U.S. Air Force Captains Alex Ortiz, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron aircraft commander (left) and Gabby Briggs, 816 EAS co-pilot (right), prepare the C-17 Globemaster III for flight in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, March 16, 2022. The two led an all-female crew through an operation that enabled the transportation of materials and goods throughout the area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft loadmaster assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, moves floor panels on an aircraft in Southwest Asia, March 16, 2022. To fulfill an operation with a C-17, a loadmaster is needed to build the minimum three-member crew to ensure weight distribution is safe for flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kate Stanton, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron aircraft loadmaster, connects her communication headset before loading cargo on a C-17 Globemaster III in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, March 17, 2022. To fulfill an operation with a C-17, a loadmaster is needed to build the minimum 3-member crew to ensure weight distribution is safe for flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kate Stanton, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron aircraft loadmaster, marshals in cargo to load inside a C-17 Globemaster III in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, March 17, 2022. To fulfill an operation with a C-17, a loadmaster is needed to build the minimum 3-member crew to ensure weight distribution is safe for flying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Veronica Rios, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron member, pushes cargo to its designated location inside a C-17 Globemaster III in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, March 17, 2022. A C-17 has rollers built within its cargo floor to accommodate wheeled or tracked vehicles and to accommodate palletized cargo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

A U.S. Air Force crew chief assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron moves cargo on a C-17 Globemaster III in Southwest Asia, March 16, 2022. In deployed environments, crew chiefs utilize their technical skillsets to ensure aircraft safety by providing in-air and ground support for their respective airframes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kadijah Hill, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron aircraft loadmaster, reviews her checklist and communicates with the pilots prior to taking off in a C-17 Globemaster III in Southwest Asia, March 17, 2022. Aircraft loadmasters are responsible for generating customized loads for each aircraft by properly loading, securing and escorting cargo and passengers before any flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

A U.S. Air Force loadmaster assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, completes her pre-flight checklist aboard a C-17 Globemaster III in Southwest Asia, March 17, 2022. Aircraft loadmasters are responsible for generating customized loads for each aircraft by properly loading, securing and escorting cargo and passengers before any flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

U.S. Air Force Capt. Alex Ortiz, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III pilot, takes a glimpse at her map while flying over Southwestern Asia, March 17, 2022. The C-17 can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions, and execute rapid strategic delivery of troops and various cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in deployed environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III sits on the runway at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, March 17, 2022. The C-17 can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions, and execute rapid strategic delivery of troops and various cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in deployed environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mahalia Frost)

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Queens of the skies

Published March 31, 2022
By Capt. Mahalia Frost

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar --

A U.S. Air Force all-female crew assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron conducted a support mission around Southwest Asia, March 17, 2022. The operation enabled the transportation of materials and goods throughout the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility. The crew consisted of pilots, crew chiefs, loadmasters, and security forces members.