Photo Information

Flight engineer, Staff Sgt. David Ortegon, 68th Airlift Squadron, checks the C-5's fuel load during the flight from March Air Reserve Base, Calif. to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Sunday, Aug. 13. (US Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ray Sarracino)

Photo by Master Sgt. Ray Sarracino

482nd reservists in hands of experienced, proud crew

18 Aug 2006 | Master Sgt. Ray Sarracino

Crews who operate the Air Force's fleet of cargo aircraft represent an important component of the nation's national defense efforts. The ability to move large amounts of people and equipment long distances in short periods of time allow for tremendous flexibility in how we fight and win wars. 

The crew of the Aug. 13 flight from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. to Hickam AFB, Hawaii for exercise Cactus Aloha was comprised of traditional reservists who have participated in some of the most urgent missions this century. Among the crew was loadmaster Tech. Sgt. Steve Stophel, 68th Airlift Squadron, 448th Air Wing. 

Sergeant Stophel, a Dallas native, has been an Air Force reservist for about six years. He joined specifically to become a loadmaster and is proud of his position on the crew. 

He said that becoming a loadmaster required a number of challenges, including about a year-and-a-half of training before joining the crew. Mention the C-5 and he will proudly rattle off the vital statistics about the aircraft and what it can do. 

For example, for the trip to Hawaii they topped off their wing tanks with 184,000 pounds of fuel. When needed for longer flights, the aircraft is capable of carrying 332,000 pounds of fuel - That's roughly the weight of about 110 midsize cars. 

When asked to name a particularly meaningful mission to him, Sergeant Stophel said that the evacuation of residents of New Orleans, La. in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina last year had made quite an impact on him. This was seconded by his colleague, SSgt. Joe Nichols, a San Antonio native who is also a loadmaster. 

"A lot of people were in shock," Sergeant Stophel said. "It was kind of scary for them. Many didn't know where they were heading, but most were happy to be anywhere but in New Orleans." 

"They brought everything they could: Cats, dogs, whatever they could carry," Sergeant Nichols added. 

The C-5 usually consists of a crew of eight: 3 pilots, 2 engineers and 3 loadmasters, and this crew has traveled all over the world supporting the airlift needs of the U.S. military. 

The "Galaxy" began its career during the Vietnam Era and has been a steadfast part of the Air Force's airlift team since. It's capable of carrying more than 200,000 pounds of cargo a distance of 4,200 nautical miles. Its usual passenger capacity is more than 70 in the passenger compartment and about 20 in the crew compartment. Both areas are separate and sit above the cargo area. When necessary, like during the post-Katrina evacuations, the more than 220-foot long cargo area can be converted to a 600-passenger seating area.