Ejecting flares from a C-5

A C-5 from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., ejects flares over the Eglin Range March 2, 2016, at Eglin AFB, Fla. The C-5 aircraft was participating in Air Mobility Command flare effectiveness testing at Eglin AFB to ensure the infrared countermeasures are working as intended. The C-5 and C-17 ejected several flare patterns over a week long testing period. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Naomi Shipley)

Checking the engines

Staff Sgt. Arthur Mendoza, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, climbs a ladder to inspect an engine during a pre-flight check on a McChord Field C-17 Globemaster III on the flight line at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 2, 2016. Mendoza traveled with the C-17 aircrew from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., to participate in a flare effectiveness test. Mendoza’s job is to ensure the aircraft is operating the way it should be to ensure safety for the aircraft and crew. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Naomi Shipley)

Checking the tail

Staff Sgt. Arthur Mendoza, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks the tail of a McChord Field C-17 Globemaster III during a pre-flight check on the flight line at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 2, 2016. The McChord tail was on the Gulf Coast with its aircrew to participate in aircraft defense testing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Naomi Shipley)

Flare ejection

A C-5 aircraft from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., ejects flares over the Eglin Range March 2, 2016, at Eglin AFB, Fla. The C-5 aircraft was participating in Air Mobility Command flare effectiveness testing at Eglin along with a C-17 Globemaster III from the 62nd Airlift Wing out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluations Squadron conducted a month’s long test to provide AMC leadership with unbiased feedback in order for the command to make well-informed decisions regarding the aircraft defense systems. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Naomi Shipley)

Preflight checks

Staff Sgt. Arthur Mendoza, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs pre-flight checks on a McChord Field C-17 Globemaster III on the flight line at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 2, 2016. Mendoza and an air crew from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., participated in Air Mobility Command aircraft flare effectiveness testing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Naomi Shipley)

C-17 puts flares to the test over Eglin

Published March 7, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Naomi Shipley
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A 62nd Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III aircrew found itself away from the rainy climate of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and into the sunshine here to participate in an Air Mobility Command flare effectiveness test, that began Feb. 29.

The C-17 crew along with a C-5 crew from Travis AFB, Calif., made the journey from the West Coast to the Gulf Coast to put their aircraft countermeasures to the test.

The aircraft-dispensed flares are used as infrared countermeasures designed to defeat "heat seeking" surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles.

AMC requested the flare testing from the AMC Test and Evaluation Squadron. With help from the 46th Test Squadron, the C-17 and C-5 crew and support from here, the AMC TES made it happen.

Master Sgt. Justin Hudson, AMC TES command senior test director, manages and directs operational tests to provide leadership with unbiased feedback in order for them to make well-informed decisions to provide war-fighter proven solutions.

"We are overseeing the flare effectiveness test and ensuring flares are operating the way they should be," said Hudson. "This test is very important because we are constantly trying to outsmart our enemies. These tests ensure our operators are flying with the most up to date countermeasure system."

Not every aircraft in the Air Force has the flares as a defense counter measure.

"Typically cargo-carrying aircrafts such as the C-130, C-5 and C-17 carry the flares as a defense countermeasure," said Hudson. "The flares are vital and enhance mission capabilities by defending the aircraft operators."

Maj. Mike Motschman, 7th Airlift Squadron C-17 pilot, has had the flares on his aircraft deploy down range, but stressed more goes into a successful mission than the aircraft countermeasures.

"Part of being aircrew includes knowing all the aircraft systems and how they operate including the flare systems," said Motschman.

Motschman said there's a lot of that goes into evading an enemy.

"It's not just the flares and it's not just the way the aircraft is flown," he said. "Training is probably the most important part but they all have to come together."

After about a month's worth of testing Hudson and his team determine the results of the test and compose a report to deliver to AMC.

"We identify risks and improvements and determine whether the test was successful or unsuccessful and explain why," Hudson said.

The team will likely be out here again next year with the same intentions for their mission: to keep the aircrew safe and to stay ahead of the enemy.