State Partnership Program

Video by Staff Sgt. Jared Bounds

172 Airlift Wing Operation Dustoff

172nd Airlift Wing

May 19, 2022 | 0:59

The 172nd Airlift Wing conducts a base-wide readiness exercise May 19-22 at Allen C. Thompson Field, Jackson, Mississippi.

The exercise will begin at 8 a.m. each day and is expected to last beyond daylight hours. The exercise will test the 172nd Airlift Wing’s ability to operate in a contested environment with various threat levels. Exercise scenarios include ground-burst simulations (simulated explosions), smoke, simulated gunfire, role-player adversaries, sirens and outdoor mass notification system announcements.

The 172nd Airlift Wing’s mission is to constantly improve our combat capability to defend our nation and support our state. The primary weapon system of the 172nd Airlift Wing is the C-17 Globemaster III. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo. The aircraft can transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17 is needed to meet potential armed contingencies, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide.