Senior Airman Nick Yashirin reads a technical manual during a C-17 preflight inspection at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Nov. 4. In addition to scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance, inspections are a requirement for all C-17 aircraft to ensure operational integrity during flight. Airman Yashirin is a crew chief with the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/James Bowman)

A C-17 aircraft assigned to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. is parked on the flightline here during sunrise Nov. 4 prior to being flown on a 437th Airlift Wing training mission. The mission of the 437 AW is to command assigned aircraft and supporting units; provide for the airlift of personnel, military equipment and cargo; and to participate in operations involving the airland or airdrop of personnel, equipment and supplies. (U.S. Air Force photo/James Bowman)

Capt. Scott Graves performs a preflight inspection on the instrument panels of a C-17 prior to a routine training mission at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Nov. 4. Charleston AFB's flying squadrons performed more than 270 training missions during the month of October to keep aircrews proficient on flying skills such as take-offs, landings and the use of night vision equipment. Captain Graves is a pilot with the 16th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/James Bowman)

Capt. Patrick Woodall performs a walk-around inspection on a C-17 aircraft prior to a routine training mission at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Nov. 4. Charleston AFB's flying squadrons performed more than 270 training missions during the month of October to keep aircrews proficient on flying skills such as take-offs, landings and the use of night vision equipment. Captain Woodall is a pilot with the 16th Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/James Bowman)

Airman 1st Class Alexander McCall performs an inspection looking for discrepancies on top of a C-17 at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Nov. 4. In addition to scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance, inspections are a requirement for all C-17 aircraft to ensure operational integrity during flight. Airman McCall is a crew chief with the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/James Bowman)

Staff Sgt. Jeffery Sausman performs foreign object damage cleaning and inspection by vacuuming loose debris from the floor of a C-17 at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Nov. 4. Foreign object damage caused by debris is prevented through regular aircraft inspections. Sergeant Sausman is a crew chief with the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/James Bowman)

A C-17 aircraft takes off for a routine mission at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. Nov. 4. Charleston AFB is currently home to more than 50 C-17 aircraft. Once fully airborne, the C-17 has a cruising speed of approximately 500 mph, providing a high-speed global mobility platform for the U.S. military. (U.S. Air Force photo/James Bowman)