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Difference in C-17 missions explained

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Hinson
  • 315th AW/PA
Charleston Air Force Base --  Banner, channel, SAAM, JA/ATT. Getting lost in the operations world is easy if you don't speak the language. The types of C-17 missions are as varied as those who fly them. 

"The simplest way to think of it is that (missions) are broken up into two pots," said Maj. Keith Moore, 315th Operations Support Squadron Current Operations. What this means is that the aircraft missions coming from Charleston Air Force Base are divided into two sections, with the larger group being missions tasked by the Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and the others being missions locally scheduled. 

Of the missions coming from TACC, they can be broken down into Special Assignment Airlift Missions, or SAAMS; channel missions; and contingency missions. 

The SAAMs are classified as banners, which are presidential support; silvers, which are vice-presidential support; coppers, which are support of the first lady; and other distinguished visitor missions, such as support for the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chief of Staff, said Major Moore. 

Channel missions are a "set flow of cargo, from beans to bullets," he continued. These could be everything from embassy support to going downrange and are usually set at a prescheduled time and pattern. The theory resembles a city bus, making routine, scheduled trips. 

All other missions tasked by TACC fall under the title of contingency missions. Contingencies are anything from carrying cargo to swapping troops out overseas. 

The reason for the breakdown in the types of missions is to distinguish between who will be paying, whether it is the Army, Navy or whoever is asking for the mission, said the major. 

The missions scheduled locally are trainers and can be broken down in to locals; joint airborne air transportability trainers, or JA/ATT; off station trainers; the mission ready pilot program; and exercises. The trainers can be used by maintenance personnel, as well as flying squadrons. 

Locals are just as the name implies - local half-day flights used for pilot and load proficiency, training with air refueling and airdrop and other necessary learning experiences. For every jet, there are usually two locals that can be accomplished in one day. 

JA/ATT missions are the trainers conducted jointly with the Army and consist of dropping troops or some type of parachute training, said Major Moore. 

Airshows and aeromedical evacuation training missions belong to the category of off station trainers, according to the major. These are training missions that usually last longer than the day-long locals, and can be flown anywhere. 

The next set of missions fall under the mission ready pilot program. Following formal school training at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., pilots enter the MRP program and are introduced to the tactical employment of the C-17 as it will be used during the contingency operations, according to Lt. Col. Jerry Davidson, 437th Operations Support Squadron. MRP training incorporates tactical training in the simulator and aircraft, and upon completion, the pilot is qualified to perform the combat mission of the 437th Operations Group. 

The final category is exercise missions, and they can be local, joint or international exercises for the C-17 and crew. 

Aside from the airplanes tasked from TACC and trainers, there are a few jets set aside on standby to "support national military command authority missions," said Maj. Jim Harris, 437th OG. 

Normally, when the taskings come into the 437th Airlift Wing, the missions are divided up between the wings. Each Current Ops section makes schedules for training missions approximately a month in advance, spreading the wealth evenly throughout the groups' squadrons. 

With TACC, flexibility is the key when it comes to scheduling. Their schedules are very fluid, but they try to give units as much notice as possible. 

Although there is a fence dividing the two types of missions, sometimes one overflows into another. "There is a limited supply of airplanes, and TACC decides what to do," said Major Moore. If the need arises, trainers are pulled to be used for TACC missions. 

"We're in demand," said Major Moore of the large number of taskings. "We're very reliable, easy loading, very versatile."