by Staff Sgt. Sabrina Fuller-Judd, SrA Edgar Grimaldo, SrA Jarred Lovett, A1C Joseph Curzi
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs August 28, 2026
A C-130J Super Hercules aircraft lands on a taxiway at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. The training ensured airfield personnel maintain the proficiency required to execute precision landings on short, narrow and unmarked strips of land. Photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Curzi
A 37th Airlift Squadron aircrew flying a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft conducted a taxiway landing during a wing exercise at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. The event marked history as the first time an airplane has landed at Ramstein without using a runway.
The exercise provided an opportunity for aircrew and support personnel to validate alternate landing options in case if a runway was unavailable.
“This capability is more than just landing on a taxiway,” said Col. Matthew Wunderlich, 86th Operations Group commander. “It demonstrates our ability to adapt, to work together, and continue generating airpower when conditions change. This creativity and resiliency is essential to maintaining our readiness, increasing strategic options, and fulfilling the mission.”
U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to the 86th Operations Support Squadron’s Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems flight conduct ground communications during an alternate landing zone exercise at Ramstein Air Base, Aug 18. U.S. Air Force personnel assigned to Ramstein Air Base participated in a training, which focused on a C130J Super Hercules aircraft landing and taking off from austere locations. Photo by Staff Sgt. Sabrina Fuller-Judd
Multiple units supported the exercise to ensure the operation was successful and conducted safely, including the 86th Security Forces Squadron, 86th Operations Support Squadron, 37th AS and 721st Aerial Port Squadron.
“Exercises like this allow our aircrew and support teams to build the experience and confidence needed to operate in a contingency environment,” said Capt. Ty Millsap, 86th OSS Chief of Wing Tactics. “It takes coordination across the installation to safely execute an exercise like this, and that coordination is what makes us ready for the unexpected.”
The exercise highlighted the importance of preparation and teamwork, strengthening the wing’s ability to respond, and validating its readiness for unexpected challenges.
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft lands on a taxiway during an alternate landing zone exercise at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. The landing marked the first time an airplane used a Ramstein taxiway as an alternate landing zone. Photo by Senior Airman Jared Lovett
U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Galemore, left, 37th Airlift Squadron Chief of Tactics, and Maj. Riley Miller, 37th AS Chief Pilot, prepare to land a C-130J Super Hercules on an alternate landing zone at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. The historic landing marked the first time a C-130J used an alternate landing zone at Ramstein, demonstrating an additional option for sustaining tactical airlift operations from the installation. Photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron and 721st Aerial Port Squadron load cargo onto a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft at Ramstein Air Base, Aug. 18. Coordination between aircrew and aerial port specialists helps ensure personnel, equipment and aircraft are prepared to safely execute tactical airlift operations.Photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo
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