Globemaster aircrews train for global response in joint exercise

C-17 Globemaster III aircrews joined paratroopers for a joint exercise focusing on quick reaction drills in North Carolina, the U.S. Air Force announced Tuesday.

The nine-day event involved air mobility forces in conjunction with U.S. Army and Canadian paratroopers, preparing the troops to respond as part of a global response force. Col. David Owens, the 62nd Operations Group commander, said the main purpose of the training event was to focus on safety while deploying a global response force.

"The main purpose of the exercise from the Air Force perspective was to safely execute global response force training," Owens said of the training. "We wanted to conduct large formation operations and insert the 82nd Airborne Division."

The Air Force says these exercises help Airmen build their coordination skills with other military branches. Justin Jarrell, a 62nd OG weapons officer and planner for the training event hailed the exercise as a success.

"All of the paratroopers landed safely and we met our objectives," he said. "It was a relief to know that all the effort we put in and the coordination with the 82nd ABD was successful."

''It's good to come out here and see how the Army and Air Force coordinate," he added. "Because of this continuous training, as a force, we will be ready to respond when called upon."