RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  

Airmen assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing successfully conducted a mass generation exercise preparing multiple C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, a multi-aircraft sortie, and elephant walk prior to takeoff Nov. 8, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

 

Airmen assigned to multiple units across the base had a hand in the exercise, as it takes a team to prepare, launch, and execute the mission. Each C-130J can carry 90 troops, or 40,000 pounds of cargo, and demonstrates why the installation is unmatched in its ability to deliver precise combat airpower.

 

 

“Although the airplanes that [took] off from Ramstein are the most visible aspect of our demonstration of force and American airpower, it is just one part of this exercise,” said Col. Joseph Wenckus, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander. “This mass generation included all six groups at the 86th Airlift Wing.”

 

The 86th Airlift Wing is USAFE’s only airlift, airdrop, and aeromedical evacuation operations capability and provides professional airlift to any country, any time, from the pavement up.

 

“Exercises like the mass generation exercise here at Ramstein allow us to increase our readiness and our resilience, to face a whole host and wide range of contingencies, from whatever may break out in Africa or here in Europe,” said Wenckus. “This mass generation exercise demonstrates America’s will and resolve, both to our allies and our adversaries that we can project airpower anywhere through Europe and Africa at a moments’ notice.”