Sam Spade's San Francisco

The giant C-17 Globmaster took-off from Travis AFB near Fairfield and Suisun City in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. When the 174-foot-long 4-engine US Air Force transport plane tipped its wings and swung into a steep spiral descent toward Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan it was in the middle of the night and the aircraft's clearance and landing lights were off.

This is a exceptional medical mercy flight that occurs under our noses regularly. The C-17 is a flying hospital filled with doctors and nurses and medical specialists. Much of the care provided for our wounded comes from Travis AFB, right here in our back yard.

Read this story by Carol Nolte published in the San Francisco Chronicle, "Aboard U.S. Flying Hospital" The story includes a video and a number of great photos.

Resources:
Travis AFB
349th USAF Air Mobility Wing
60th USAF Medical Group, Travis AFB
USAF Factsheet: C-17 Globemaster III
Boeing Aircraft: C-17 Globemaster III
Bagram Air Base - official website
U.S. Air Force - main website