This is literally "business as usual". No big deal. The USAF is the world's largest operator of the C-17 type. They are the logical go-to people when it comes to C-17 training. Basic conversion / type qualification training is conducted at Altus AFB, OK. The aircrews then join one of many real live USAF C-17 squadrons and conduct operational employment. They even train on missions and profiles US squadrons use but their home nation does not (i.e. air refueling of the transports). And they go where the host squadron goes. That way the aircrew learns the full performance capabilities of the aircraft. There are 130 airlift missions (employing various aircraft types) for OEF/OIF every single day. That is a lot of opportunities to gain flight hours in a short amount of time. There is frankly nowhere else on the planet that receives as many airlift missions. If you were to try and train aircrews and build hours without sending them into OEF/OIF, they would be spending many more months to get qualified and seasoned.