Portions of Dyess B-1, C-130 fleets relocate in advance of potential storm

A C-130J Super Hercules takes off from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, March 22, 2023. In preparation for possible inclement weather, Dyess Airmen rapidly prepared over a dozen aircraft to relocate, successfully demonstrating America’s Lift and Strike Base’s ability to achieve dynamic force employment while using agile combat employment. The relocation of aircraft from Dyess was used as an opportunity for units to exercise a “flush,” as the 317th did by giving aircrew simulated orders without a destination, which is a potential scenario they may face in a near-peer conflict, according to Col. Thomas Lankford, 317th Airlift Wing commander. “The crews showed up this morning with an overnight bag but had no idea what was going to happen next. They were handed a set of mission-type orders with the commander’s intent to execute a rapid departure simulating an impending base attack,” said Lankford, “The crews were airborne, on average, within an hour from their arrival at the building. The 317th Maintenance teams did an absolutely incredible job making sure aircraft were ready to go. It is no easy task to show up thinking you’ll launch 3 airplanes and instead get 13 in the air. I brag that this team is the best in the business, and today they proved it.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sophia Robello)