Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Capt. Heejoong Kim, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 pilots, banks left during in-flight training maneuvers in the skies near Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. Senior pilots are often paired with less experienced ones to help impart knowledge, as every flight is an opportunity for practice and readiness training. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Senior Airman Carson Christian, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, sits on a C-130J Super Hercules aft loading ramp during cargo air-drop simulations near Okinawa, Japan, July 27, 2022. Readiness is paramount to maintaining a strong deterrent presence in the Indo-Pacific, so 36th AS crews fly and train regularly to ensure their ability to provide rapid airlift skills remain sharp. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Capt. Maddie Atkinson, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 pilot, speaks during a pre-flight brief for a formation flight of four C-130J Super Hercules at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. Pre-flight briefs establish teamwork between pilots and loadmasters providing current mission details, logistical considerations, weather, and other hazards to watch for. Some crew members may have not worked together previously, so these briefings provide an opportunity to establish the clear communication necessary to have a safe flight. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Mt. Fuji peeks above the clouds during a C-130J formation flight in the skies above the Kanto region, Japan, July 27, 2022. Readiness is paramount to maintaining a strong deterrent presence in the Indo-Pacific, so 36th Airlift Squadron crews fly and train regularly to ensure their ability to provide rapid airlift skills remain sharp. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Capt. Maddie Atkinson (right), and Capt. Heejoong Kim (left) 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 pilots, proceed along a taxiway prior to take-off at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. Routine flights typically pair experienced pilots with pilots that have less flight time, helping to impart acquired knowledge, maximizing opportunities for practice and on-the-job readiness training. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Capt. Heejoong Kim, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 pilots, adjusts engine power while taxiing prior to take-off at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. Routine flights typically pair experienced pilots with pilots that have less flight time, helping to impart acquired knowledge, maximizing opportunities for practice and on-the-job readiness training. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Senior Airman Carson Christian, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, gazes out the back of an open C-130J Super Hercules aft loading ramp during cargo air-drop simulations near Okinawa, Japan, July 27, 2022. Readiness is paramount to maintaining a strong deterrent presence in the Indo-Pacific, so 36th AS crews fly and train regularly to ensure their ability to provide rapid airlift skills remain sharp. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Senior Airman Carson Christian, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, looks out of an open C-130J Super Hercules aft loading ramp he helps guide pilots reversing the aircraft into a parking spot at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. The C-130J Super Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The C-130J is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Maj. David Field, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 pilot, commences a pre-flight brief for a formation flight of four C-130J Super Hercules at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. Pre-flight briefs establish teamwork between pilots and loadmasters providing current mission details, logistical considerations, weather, and other hazards to watch for. Some crew members may have not worked together previously, so these briefings provide an opportunity to establish the clear communication necessary to have a safe flight. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Capt. Heejoong Kim, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 pilot, checks a flight tablet for a weather update during a pre-flight brief for a formation flight of four C-130J Super Hercules at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. Pre-flight briefs establish teamwork between pilots and loadmasters providing current mission details, logistical considerations, weather, and other hazards to watch for. Some crew members may have not worked together previously, so these briefings provide an opportunity to establish the clear communication necessary to have a safe flight. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Senior Airman Carson Christian, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, performs pre-flight checks inside a C-130J Super Hercules at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. Pre-flight checklists are essential to ensuring the proper and safe functioning of aircraft systems and structure prior to take-off. Loadmaster and maintenance Airmen are vital parts of keeping aircraft mission ready, as flying stresses can wear at aircraft systems and structures. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

A C-130J Super Hercules starts up its four turboprop engines as pilots, loadmasters and ground crews finish pre-flight checks at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 27, 2022. Pre-flight checklists are essential to ensuring the proper and safe functioning of aircraft systems and structure prior to take-off. Loadmaster and maintenance Airmen are vital parts of keeping aircraft mission ready, as flying stresses can wear at aircraft systems and structures. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)

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Nothing routine about flying with the 36th Airlift Squadron

Published Aug. 2, 2022
By Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

Airmen from the 36th Airlift Squadron fly training mission in a four aircraft formation flight in the skies above the Kanto region, Japan, July 27, 2022.