Posted: 02/01/2009
Crash recovery and emergency management crews survey a C-17 Globemaster III Jan. 31 as it rests on the active runway of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, after landing Jan. 30 with its landing gear retracted. More than 120 Airmen, Defense Department civilians and contractors successfully removed the crippled aircraft from the runway Feb. 2 and restored full airfield operations shortly thereafter. The "belly up," or no landing gear, recovery effort was the first in the airframe's 16-year Air Force history. (U.S. Air Force photo)