In August 2021, a remarkable story of bravery and skill emerged from the chaos of the Kabul evacuation.
A United States Air Force (USAF) C-17 aircraft, call sign Reach 828, departed Hamid Karzai International Airport with a record-breaking 640 passengers on board, later revised to 823, including Afghan evacuees and US military personnel.
This daring escape would go down in history as one of the most impressive evacuation flights ever recorded.
As the Taliban took control of Kabul, thousands of Afghans and US citizens scrambled to leave the country.
The airport became a scene of chaos, with crowds storming the apron and clinging to departing planes.
In the midst of this chaos, the crew of Reach 828 made the bold decision to take off with as many evacuees as possible, despite the lack of an official manifest.
The C-17 aircraft, designed to carry a maximum of 300 people when outfitted for large passenger loads, was packed with 823 passengers, including 183 children sitting on adult laps.
The crew, from the 305th Air Mobility Wing, had to carefully calculate the weight and balance of the aircraft to ensure a safe departure and journey.
The flight was a testament to the skill and expertise of the USAF pilots and crew, who had to adapt to extreme circumstances and push the limits of aircraft capabilities.
The C-17 flight set a new record for the number of passengers carried on a Globemaster III flight, surpassing the previous record of 670 set in 2013 during relief operations in the Philippines.
The flight also highlighted the versatility and capability of the C-17 aircraft, which has been used in various humanitarian and military operations around the world.
The crew of Reach 828 received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the military’s fourth-highest award for heroism, for their bravery and skill in executing the daring escape.
The award ceremony took place at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, and was attended by Air Mobility Command boss Gen. Mike A. Minihan.
The story of Reach 828 is a testament to the bravery and skill of the USAF personnel involved in the Kabul evacuation.
The record-breaking flight will be remembered as one of the most impressive evacuation efforts in history, and a reminder of the importance of adaptability, expertise, and courage in the face of adversity.
