A M88A2 HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System) is loaded on the cargo deck of a C-17 Globemaster III. The HERCULES is used to safely tow and recover inoperative tanks. The M88A2 provides protection against small arms fire, artillery fragments and anti-personnel mines. It is configured with an A-frame boom, three winches and spade. In comparison to the M88A1, its predecessor, the M88A2 boom can lift 40 percent heavier loads with its 35-ton lift capacity, and the main winch has a constant pull capacity of 70 tons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jason Minto)
(From left) Tech. Sgt. Tony Forcier and Senior Airman Preston Harrell, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, directs the recently updated M88A2 HERCULES Tank Retriever on to a C-17 Globemaster III. The HERCULES is used to safely tow and recover inoperative tanks. The M88A2 provides protection against small arms fire, artillery fragments and anti-personnel mines. It is configured with an A-frame boom, three winches and spade. In comparison to the M88A1, its predecessor, the M88A2 boom can lift 40 percent heavier loads with its 35-ton lift capacity and the main winch has a constant pull capacity of 70 tons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jason Minto)
(Left) Airman 1st Class John Ntwiga and Senior Airman Nickolas Castonguay, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, chain down an updated M88A2 HERCULES Tank Retriever to the cargo deck of a C-17 Globemaster III. The HERCULES is used to safely tow and recover inoperative tanks. The M88A2 provides protection against small arms fire, artillery fragments and anti-personnel mines. It is configured with an A-frame boom, three winches and spade. In comparison to the M88A1, its predecessor, the M88A2 boom can lift 40 heavier loads with its 35-ton lift capacity and the main winch has a constant pull capacity of 70 tons. (U.S. Air Force photo/Jason Minto)