First Lt. Andrew Schnell, 621st Contingency Response Squadron airfields operations officer, communicates via radio to the C-17A Globemaster III flying overhead during a semi-prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. Schnell was responsible for keeping the runway in operating condition and provided the pilots with advisories from the ground so the aircraft could land safely during the training mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)
The jet engine blast from a C-17A Globemaster III, operated by the 3d Airlift Squadron, kicks up clouds of dirt and dust during a semi-prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. The 3d AS sent multiple aircraft and aircrews throughout the week for SPRO training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)
Lt. Col. Mark Radio, 436th Airlift Wing Safety chief, pilots a C-17A Globemaster III in position with a dirt and gravel runway in the distance during a semi-prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, above Fort A.P. Hill, Va. The runway is only 90 feet wide and 3,563 feet long. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)
Capt. Matt Kurtz, 3d Airlift Squadron pilot, and Lt. Col. Mark Radio, 436th Airlift Wing Safety chief, position a C-17A Globemaster III to land on a dirt and gravel runway during a semi-prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. The crew performed multiple landings and take-offs on Fort A.P. Hill’s 3,563 foot runway. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)
Lance Cpl. Manuel Serrano, Defense Information School (DINFOS) student, films a C-17A Globemaster III during a semi-prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. Serrano and other DINFOS students travelled from Fort Meade, Md., to use the training operations for a class project. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)
A C-17A Globemaster III, operated by the 3d Airlift Squadron, moments before landing on a dirt and gravel runway during a semi-prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. SPRO training prepares aircrews to operate C-17s in austere, rugged runway conditions to deliver troops, equipment and military hardware to forward deployed locations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)
A C-17A Globemaster III, operated by the 3d Airlift Squadron, lands on a dirt and gravel runway during a semi-prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. Landing on short dirt runways demonstrates the C-17’s unique tactical air mobility capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)
Lt. Col. Mark Radio, 436th Airlift Wing Safety chief, adjusts the engine throttle of a C-17A Globemaster III during a semi prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, above Fort A.P. Hill, Va. Radio has piloted C-17s for the past nine years. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)
A C-17A Globemaster III, operated by the 3d Airlift Squadron, takes off from a dirt and gravel runway during a semi-prepared runway operations (SPRO) training mission Sept. 23, 2015, at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. A fully loaded C-17 is able to take-off and land on as little as 3,000 feet of runway. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia)