Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division load a C-17 Globemaster III from the 535th Airlift Squadron during a validation exercise at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, Dec. 16, 2013. During the VALEX, a Hickam-based C-17 picked up two HUMVEES and 35 passengers to test the unit’s ability to rapidly deploy to anywhere within the Pacific area of responsibility within 24 hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Terri Paden)