Ramstein exercise generates mass airlift capability

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Devin M. Rumbaugh
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
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 the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Maintenance Squadron, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron enabled the multi-ship sortie.

“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.”

Ramstein’s mission in Europe and Africa is to generate and employ air mobility, enable theater and strategic airpower, and operate key Air Force power projection platforms.

“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.”