Pulling together! 514th Maintenance Group shows strength and spirit in C-17 pull challenge Published April 6, 2025 By Capt. Christina Wiskowski 514th Air Mobility Wing JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- In a display of teamwork, strength, and esprit de corps, members of the 514th Maintenance Group participated in a unique training that tested their physical limits while boosting unit cohesion. The squadron organized a C-17 aircraft pull challenge, where 81 military members successfully pulled the 280,000-pound transport aircraft, loaded with an additional 20,000 pounds of fuel, a distance of 30 feet, 2 inches using only ropes and their combined strength. "This event perfectly blends readiness training with team building," said Lt. Col. Joseph Trynosky, 514th MXG commander. "The training is valuable to demonstrate our capability to operate in austere locations if vital equipment, like a tow vehicle, becomes inoperable or unavailable." The idea originated with Staff Sgt. Arianna Cooper, 514th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist, who initially proposed it as a team-building exercise. Her leadership quickly recognized its potential as a valuable training opportunity. To make the event happen, Cooper coordinated with the Wing Safety office and secured approvals from both the 514th Air Mobility Wing commander and the 305th Air Mobility Wing commander. Before the challenge, several maintainers calculated the aircraft's breaking force and the pulling power an average maintainer could generate. Their calculations suggested it would take approximately 27 people to move the massive C-17, but the group ensured they had more than adequate manpower for the task. “I can’t believe how far we pulled it,” Cooper said. ”We did the math, but I still wasn’t convinced we’d be able to move it.” Prior to the main event, unit leadership hosted a cookout, giving participants the opportunity to fuel up and socialize in a relaxed environment. The pre-event meal created a festive atmosphere that carried throughout the day's activities. "Events like these are crucial for maintaining high morale while providing practical training for our Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. Antonio Ortiz, 514th MXG superintendent. "The physical challenge of pulling an aircraft weighing several hundred thousand pounds requires the same communication and synchronized effort that our maintenance teams need every day." Given the event's success, Cooper hopes to make the C-17 pull an annual tradition, combining physical training, team building, and practical demonstration of the unit's capability to overcome challenging environments.