Altus AFB aircrew are instructors and ambassadors

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ross Whitley
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Besides training the World's C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker aircrews, Altus Airmen also assist in the transport of military assets and serve as ambassadors across the U.S. and globe.

"The best job in the world is teaching students. Showing them the capabilities of the C-17 is a blessing of my job," said Capt. Carlos Berdecia, a 58th Airlift Squadron C-17 evaluator instructor and pilot on the 58th Rat Pack Demonstration Team.

The Rat Pack performs at air shows around the world to show the capabilities of the C-17 to the public. Like a school bus picking up weary-eyed students, the crew loaded its C-17, also known by call sign Cattle 5-8, with passengers and cargo in Colorado Springs, Colo. The C-17's cargo included about 130 future U.S. Air Force officers, traveling to the West Point Army Academy, New York, to see their Falcons beat the Black Knights for the first time in eight years.

"Not only are we ambassadors for the C-17 community, but also for the 97th Air Mobility Wing as well," Captain Berdecia said.

Before the game started, Cattle 5-8 was headed south. The Airmen landed the C-17 in Homestead, Fla., where they would be performing in the Wings Over Homestead Air Show.

"Talking about the aircraft and the capabilities, seeing the little kids come up to you and signing autographs is just being a true ambassador in the Air Force," Captain Berdecia said.

During the air show, the crew gave everyone a chance to see one of the Air Force's newest cargo aircraft as visitors watched the Altus C-17 fly over the crowd.

"Letting us go do demonstrations and be a part of the Rat Pack Demonstration Team allows us to show the capabilities of the C-17 not only to the students, but to other spectators," Captain Berdecia said.

During the Homestead Air Show the crew of Cattle 5-8 demonstrated the C-17's ability to take off and land in short air fields. Captain Berdecia has already performed in 13 air shows this year.

"First of all, it's a privilege and an honor to be a part of the Rat Pack Demo Team. It's a lot of work and you have to have a certain amount of experience to be part of the team," the captain added.

The crew of Cattle 5-8 wasn't done when it departed the air show. On their way home to Altus, they first flew to New York and picked up the victorious Air Force Academy cadets and delivered them back to the U.S. Air force Academy. On the sixth day of its journey, Cattle 5-8 traveled the final leg of its journey back to Altus.

"Not only are we ambassadors for the C-17 community, but for the 97 Air Mobility Wing as well," Captain Berdecia said, recalling the trip.

Altus C-17's have also completed operational missions refueling various aircraft in the region, as well as dropping supplies in support of the aftermath of the Jan 12. earthquake that affected Haiti.