Photos by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aleksandr Gorohoff, 86th Operations Group standards and evaluations flight examiner, conducts a pre-flight inspection on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. Pre-flight inspections help ensure aircraft systems are functioning properly before takeoff, supporting safe flight operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aleksandr Gorohoff, 86th Operations Group standards and evaluations flight examiner, performs pre-flight checks on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. Thorough preflight inspections help ensure the aircraft remains safe, reliable and ready to support operations throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aleksandr Gorohoff, left, 86th Operations Group standards and evaluations flight examiner, examines Airman 1st Class Sergio Velazquez, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, as he ties a knot on the extraction parachute at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. Routine cargo airdrop training helps ensure aircrews maintain the proficiency required to safely deliver mission-essential equipment during contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Noah Herrington, right, 721st Aerial Port Squadron ramp services journeyman, operates a Tunner 60K aircraft cargo loader/transporter carrying a palletized M119A3 105 mm howitzer and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. The 721st APS prepares and loads cargo for airlift missions, enabling the rapid movement of personnel and equipment in support of global mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Noah Herrington, 721st Aerial Port Squadron ramp services journeyman, operates a Tunner 60K aircraft cargo loader/transporter carrying a palletized M119A3 105 mm howitzer and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. The 721st APS prepares and loads cargo for airlift missions, enabling the rapid movement of personnel and equipment in support of global mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, 721st Aerial Port Squadron and 86th Maintenance Group and U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Falcon Company, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, Aviano Air Base, Italy, load a palletized M119A3 105 mm howitzer and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle into a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. Heavy-equipment airdrop training ensures aircrews and support personnel maintain the proficiency required to deliver mission-essential cargo in contested and austere environments. (U.S. Air force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sergio Velazquez, right, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, marshals Senior Airman Noah Herrington, 721st Aerial Port Squadron ramp services journeyman, operating a Tunner 60K aircraft cargo loader/transporter carrying a palletized M119A3 105 mm howitzer and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle into a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. The 721st APS prepares and loads mission-essential cargo for airlift missions, enabling the rapid deployment of personnel and equipment in support of global mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, 721st Aerial Port Squadron and 86th Maintenance Group and U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Falcon Company, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, Aviano Air Base, Italy, load a palletized M119A3 105 mm howitzer and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle into a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. The coordinated effort between aircrew, aerial port specialists and maintainers helps ensure cargo is safely loaded and secured for tactical airlift operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tucker Frank, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, reviews C-130J Super Hercules aircraft forms at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 17, 2026. Pre-flight inspections help ensure aircraft systems are functioning properly before takeoff, supporting safe flight operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron airdrop a palletized M119A3 105 mm howitzer and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft over Germany, July 17, 2026. Heavy equipment airdrop training maintains the proficiency required to rapidly deliver mission-essential equipment to austere locations where aircraft cannot safely land. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
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