After much speculation and publications claiming to be “fake news” the Afghans inside a US Air Force C-17, the institution confirmed that last Sunday, August 15, the aircraft actually carried over 800 people.
According to the US Air Force, the C-17 carried 823 Afghans in its cargo bay, in addition to the military personnel who were on board the aircraft. Normally the C-17 transports 134 soldiers, all seated and accommodated in their seats.
Of children alone, this RCH871 flight carried 183, a number not previously recorded by the US Air Force. Initially, the USAF Air Mobility Command (AMC) reported that only 640 Afghan nationals boarded the aircraft.
To date, more than 17000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan by US Air Force aircraft.
