Master Sgt. Mark Eger and a C-5 Galaxy at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., on April 21. Sgt. Eger is with the 55th Aerial Port Squadron and was photographed to illustrate the proud and strong aerial porters at Travis and their ultimate vision: Unrivaled Global Reach for America ... Always!   The photo's elements are meant to support their vision. The solitary person represents the strength of all aerial porters - without peers in this world - they are unrivaled. The C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest military aircraft in the world, unlimited in its range - Global Reach. All elements were Made in America.  The green light associated with night vision goggles represent their 24/7 operations and always ready for more. The chain, one of the prime tools of the trade, symbolizes all the events and actions of aerial porters who are linked by mission and each dedicated to getting resources where they need to be by working together. Their bond is their strength, spirit and purpose, as strong as the MB-2 chain and its 25,000 pound capacity. They are humble, sometimes taken for granted, yet ever present and ready to serve. Staff Sgt. Paul Sweeney, an instructor and designer for the Aerial port Operations Course, said in a 2008 Air Force print news article, "They [the duties of an aerial porter] include passenger service, fleet service, ramp, [the air terminal operations center], load planning, data records, cape forecasting, aerial delivery and cargo processing. We are responsible for getting all the air cargo and passengers to the fight and then getting them all home." The gigantic C-5 Galaxy, with its tremendous payload capability, provides the Air Mobility Command airlift in support of United States national defense. The C-5 can carry fully equipped combat-ready military units to any point in the world on short notice and then provide field support required to help sustain the fighting force.
<bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59254010" class="extiw" title="d:Q59254010"><span title="American photographer">Lance Cheung</span></a>
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Taken on 21 April 2009
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