Papa Knows Best

Papa Knows Best: The multinational Heavy Airlift Wing at Papa AB, Hungary, has flown more than 500 missions with its three C-17s since it began operations in mid 2009, according to unit officials. This includes transporting more than 29,000 passengers and delivering more than 22,000 tons of cargo and supplies, with 80 percent of the cargo going to Afghanistan in support of NATO’s mission there, states Papa’s Nov. 1 release. The wing, operated by members of the 12-nation Strategic Airlift Capability consortium, received its first aircraft in July 2009. The wing comprises some 130 personnel from the partner nations, including about 40 US airmen, according to the release. Col. Keith Boone, HAW commander, said the wing would support NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and also stands ready to support future unforeseen requirements in locations like Africa. (Papa report by Maj. Rich Komurek) (See also Multinational C-17 Wing Marks Third Anniversary.)