Early morning pre-flight checks are conducted on a Charleston Air Force Base C-17 before a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009, demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Joshua L. DeMotts) (Released)

U.S. Army Spc. Katelyn Jovani of the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., looks at aircraft aboard a bus on the Charleston Air Force Base flightline Dec. 16, 2009. C-17 aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., conducted a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz) (Released)

Airmen with the 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron load medical equipment on a Charleston Air Force Base C-17 prior to taking off for a training mission from Charleston AFB, S.C. Dec. 16, 2009. The base conducted a large formation exercise utilizing 10 C-17 aircraft. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Shane Cuomo)(Released)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Elsworth, a loadmaster with the 16th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., secures rigging to a container delivery system aboard a C-17 aircraft at Charleston AFB Dec. 16, 2009. C-17 aircraft from Charleston AFB conducted a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were air dropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aero medical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua L. DeMotts)(Released)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Elsworth, left, performs checklist tasks with Senior Airman Kenneth Common during thier pre-flight duties as loadmasters with the 16th Airlift Squadron aboard a C-17 at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009. The Airmen crewed the C-17 aircraft from Charleston AFB during a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were air dropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aero medical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua L. DeMotts) (Released)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing load a training pallet into the cargo bay of a C-17 during Operation Thunderstruck Dec. 16, 2009, at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. The 437th Airlift Wing and the 315th Airlift Wing conducted Operation Thunderstruck, a large formation exercise designed to prepare airmen for the deployed environment. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, air refueling and a simulated aero medical evacuation (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)(Released)

C-17 aircraft from Charleston AFB line up for take-off in preparation for a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., Dec. 16. Charleston AFB conducted a large formation exercise utilizing 10 C-17 aircraft. Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marie Brown)(RELEASED)

Col. Joseph Mancy pilots a C-17 during a strategic brigade airdrop training mission Dec. 16, 2009. In all, more than 300 active-duty, Reserve and Guard Airmen and Soldier participated in the exercise. Colonel Mancy is the 437th Operations Group commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Shane Cuomo)(Released)

A U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft performs a low-level maneuver during Operation Thunderstruck at Charleston Air Force Base S.C., Dec. 16, 2009. C-17 aircraft from Charleston AFB conducted a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. U.S. Army Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)(Released)

U.S. Army Specialist Leevan Dethsy from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., is inspected by a jumpmaster before an airdrop during Operation Thunderstruck over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009, demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andy Kin)(Released)

U.S. Army Spc. Katelyn Jovani of the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C ., prepares for a jump during Operation Thunderstruck. Airmen and C-17 aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., conducted a joint strategic brigade airdrop exercise with Soldiers over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009, demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)(Released)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Elliot, a loadmaster with the 14th Airlift Squadron, looks out the paratroop door prior to releasing equipment over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C. on Dec. 16 ,2009. Charleston Air Force Base Airmen conducted a joint strategic brigade airdrop exercise including 10 Charleston AFB C-17 aircraft with all necessary support personnel and U.S. Army soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division. The exercise was designed to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. James Harper Jr.)

C-17 aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., conduct Operation Thunderstruck over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009, demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were air dropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aero medical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua L. DeMotts)(Released)

Soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., prepare to jump from a Charleston Air Force Base C-17 during a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009. The soldiers jumped along with 58 others and several pallets of equipment to simulate the seizure of a remote field. Ten Charleston AFB C-17s were utilized during the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Laidlaw)

A C-17 aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. conducts Operation Thunderstruck, a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009, demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Asha McMakin)(Released)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bylek, a paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division, steers into the wind after parachuting out of a C-17 aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. at North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., during a strategic brigade airdrop exercise Dec. 16, 2009. Airborne Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped in the exercise along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. William Greer)

Staff Sgt. Daniel Freeman prepares to pack up his shoot after being airdropped during a strategic brigade airdrop exercise over North Auxiliary Airfield near Northern, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009. The Soldiers were airdropped along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a join training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission also included cargo airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. Freeman is with the 82.d Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katie Gieratz)(Released)

A C-17 aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. lands at North Auxiliary Airfield near North, S.C., during Operation Thunderstruck, a strategic brigade airdrop exercise, Dec. 16, 2009. Airborne Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped during the exercise over the airfield along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield, providing a joint training opportunity for the Airmen and Soldiers. The training mission included airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training and simulated aeromedical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. William Greer)(Released)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Hoffman, left, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller from the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., documents Operation Thunderstruck, a strategic brigade airdrop exercise, Dec. 16, 2009. Airmen and C-17 aircraft from Charleston AFB conducted the large formation exercise, demonstrating the global projection of U.S. airpower. The training mission utilized Airborne Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C. and 12 C-17 aircraft that performed airdrops over North Auxiliary Airfield, aerial refueling training, and simulated aero medical evacuation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.)(Released)

U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft pass over the USS Yorktown Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009. Charleston AFB conducted a large formation exercise utilizing 10 C-17 aircraft. During the exercise U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clay Lancaster)(Released)

U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft pass over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston, S.C., Dec. 16, 2009. Charleston AFB conducted a large formation exercise utilizing 10 C-17 aircraft. During the exercise U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield.(U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell)(Released)

A formation of C-17 aircraft from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., rally over the Atlantic ocean for refueling while conducting Operation Thunderstruck Dec. 16, 2009. The operation was a large formation exercise utilizing 10 C-17 aircraft and more than 300 participants from the Air Force and Army. Soldiers from the 2-319th Airborne Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, N.C., were airdropped along with cargo pallets to simulate the seizure of a remote airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andy Kin)(Released)