A forklift waiting outside the ramp of an aircraft

374 AEW, MAF delivers critical cargo for DLE operations

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 374th Air Expeditionary Wing stand by before loading container delivery systems onto a C-130J Super Hercules for an airdrop mission supporting Department-Level Exercise 2025 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 17, 2025. The DLE is the first-in-a-generation series of exercises encompassing all branches of the Department of Defense, along with allies and partners, over 400 joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 members at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
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An Airman signaling a forklift to the ramp of an aircraft

374 AEW, MAF delivers critical cargo for DLE operations

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kaylynn Staba, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing instructor loadmaster, marshalls a forklift carrying a container delivery system to the cargo ramp of a C-130J Super Hercules in preparation for an airdrop mission supporting Department-Level Exercise 2025 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 17, 2025. Through this DLE, the Department of the Air Force is preparing to be a stronger, deterrent force, to provide an advantage against competitors and adversaries across all domains, and to ensure regional stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • A forklift waiting outside the ramp of an aircraft

    374 AEW, MAF delivers critical cargo for DLE operations

    U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 374th Air Expeditionary Wing stand by before loading container delivery systems onto a C-130J Super Hercules for an airdrop mission supporting Department-Level Exercise 2025 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 17, 2025. The DLE is the first-in-a-generation series of exercises encompassing all branches of the Department of Defense, along with allies and partners, over 400 joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 members at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • An Airman signaling a forklift to the ramp of an aircraft

    374 AEW, MAF delivers critical cargo for DLE operations

    U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kaylynn Staba, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing instructor loadmaster, marshalls a forklift carrying a container delivery system to the cargo ramp of a C-130J Super Hercules in preparation for an airdrop mission supporting Department-Level Exercise 2025 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 17, 2025. Through this DLE, the Department of the Air Force is preparing to be a stronger, deterrent force, to provide an advantage against competitors and adversaries across all domains, and to ensure regional stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

374 AEW, MAF delivers critical cargo for DLE operations

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  

In support of the ongoing Department-Level Exercise 2025, the U.S. Air Force 374th Air Expeditionary Wing delivered critical cargo in the Pacific region, July 17, 2025.

A person securing straps in the bay of an aircraft

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kade Hoffman, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing instructor loadmaster, prepares an area to secure container delivery systems for an airdrop mission supporting Department-Level Exercise 2025 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 17, 2025. The DLE is the first-in-a-generation series of exercises encompassing all branches of the Department of Defense, along with Allies and partners, over 400 joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 members at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
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“Due to the challenging geography and austere environment of the target location, traditional delivery methods were deemed impractical,” said Capt. Tyler Jones, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing pilot and mission planner. “Recognizing this challenge, we developed and executed an airdrop solution to ensure the successful delivery of vital assets.”

With the ever-changing strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region, teamwork and close collaboration remains essential between services, nations, allies and partners for mission success.
An inside view of an aircraft's cargo ramp as a bundle is launched for delivery

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kade Hoffman, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing instructor loadmaster, observes as a container delivery system meets its target location during an airdrop mission supporting Department-Level Exercise 2025 over the Northern Mariana Islands, July 17, 2025. The DLE is the first-in-a-generation series of exercises encompassing all branches of the Department of Defense, along with Allies and partners, over 400 joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 members at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res


“This mission and exercises like DLE 2025 prove we can work together smoothly across different major commands, services, and our international allies and partners - from initial planning, to execution, to debrief,” he added. “It was incredibly rewarding to witness the culmination of our training and planning efforts.”

“Seeing the team’s hard work translate into a successful mission delivering to our partners, reinforces our commitment to excellence and our ‘anytime, anywhere’ ethos,” Jones concluded. “This is what we do, and we are prepared to do it again.”