A C-17 Globemaster III takes off from an air base in Southwest Asia. The C-17's primary mission is to transport servicemembers and cargo throughout the Middle East in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

On the first pass, 16 bundles are dropped from the lead C-17 Globemaster III to a drop zone Oct. 11 in Afghanistan. A total of 62 cargo bundles were dropped from two C-17s. This was the first time a combat cargo drop of this magnitude has taken place from two C-17s in formation over one drop zone.

As 16 bundles from the lead C-17 Globemaster III drift to the ground, a second C-17 drops more bundles to a drop zone Oct. 11 in Afghanistan. A total of 62 cargo bundles were dropped from two C-17s in two passes. This was the first time a combat cargo drop of this magnitude has taken place from two C-17s in formation over one drop zone.

Capt. Mathew Oliver uses the Precision Air Drop System to calculate the precise airdrop release point Oct. 11 over Afghanistan. The computer gets some of its information from a dropsond, released over the drop zone, that sends information such as altitude and wind speed back to the computer. A total of 62 cargo bundles were dropped from two C-17s in two passes. This was the first time a combat cargo drop of this magnitude has taken place from two C-17s in formation over one drop zone.

Paratroopers from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division watch as C-17 Globemaster IIIs air drop combat cargo bundles carrying food and water in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, October 11.