800 People evacuated from Kabul aboard a single U.S. Air Force C-17 Cargo Jet

As the situation continues to deteriorate in Afghanistan, with even Kabul’s international airport, the last hope for U.S. and other foreigners trying to leave the country, being at least partially overrun, we are now hearing that the U.S. Air Force packed one C-17 cargo jet with roughly 800 people and flew them to safety. If these reports, as well as recorded audio, prove to be accurate, it could be a record for an aircraft that serves as the backbone of the Air Force’s jet transport fleet.

RCH (Reach) 871, a C-17A from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, took off from Kabul just a few hours ago. This was likely during the same period when the airport’s civilian ramp areas were being stormed by Afghans seeking salvation from the Taliban’s impending rule. Understanding the worsening situation, the aircraft’s crew apparently packed what they thought to be around 800 people into the jet’s main cargo bay and headed for the safety of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

As you can tell, the person talking to the flight, likely via satellite radio communications, is as stunned as we were when he heard the passenger load number. He asks “Ok, how many people do you think are on your jet?” Then after getting a reply from RCH 871 he responds “800 people on your jet?! Holy… Holy cow… Ok…”

According to Boeing, a C-17’s passenger carrying capacity is officially “80 on 8 pallets, plus 54 passengers on sidewall seats.” So, if this 800 number proves true, you can get an idea of just how jammed-packed the aircraft must have been.

A tanker bridge has also been created that is refueling heavily laden USAF transport flights as they move from Afghanistan to safer locales in the Middle East. The tankers could allow for the loaded transports to make tactical departures from Kabul with lower fuel loads than they would have to without aerial refueling support. There could be a major shortage of jet fuel at Kabul International, as well.

We have reached out to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to get more information on this extremely laden evacuation flight and will report back when we know more. In the meantime, this serves as yet another reminder of how the C-17 and its dedicated crews continue to make the impossible possible when called upon to do so. www.thedrive.com