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Mini C-17 dazzles Pentagon, East Coast

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Charlie Hall, Jr.
  • 81st Aerial Port Squadron
CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  To celebrate the 54th birthday of the United States Air Force, Team Charleston’s mini C-17 took to the road for two high profile static displays. 

A team of eight 315th Airlift Wing members embarked on a 2,000-mile road trip up the East Coast, displaying the mini C-17 from Washington D.C. to Connecticut. 

At the first stop, the courtyard at the Pentagon, the “Spirit of Hope, Liberty and Freedom” was a huge conversation piece as more than 1,000 military and civilian visitors commented on its size and ability to enter the courtyard. 

While this stop was an amazing success, numerous challenges confronted the team as they negotiated Washington D.C., including traffic during morning rush hour, security checkpoints and visitor badges. Finally, there was the challenge of getting the 9 feet 6 inch tall 44-foot trailer into the narrow 10’ high tunnel which leads into the courtyard.
After two days at the Pentagon, the team then set out for Bristol, Conn., with a stop at Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass., for minor maintenance and rest. 

The company Pratt & Whitney was hosting an employee appreciation day at a popular theme park, Lake Compounce in Connecticut and had requested the presence of the mini C-17. 

The mini was set up at the entrance to the park where more than 14,000 people walked past the display. As many as 3,000 people entered the replica and saw first hand the craftsmanship and pride that went into building it. 

After a 13-hour day, the team returned to Westover and prepared for the long journey home. 

With thousands of viewers getting a first hand look at the mini and speaking to the reservists about their jobs and the construction of the replica, the team members finally returned to the base with plenty of stories and photos of their longest road trip to date.
Team members for this journey were: Master Sgts. Wayne Daily and Phillip Wiedman; Tech. Sgts. Holly Carlisle and Dareyl Stark; Staff Sgts. Chris Fabel and Kristi Miller; and Senior Airman Jason Scarborough.