DD Form 2130-13: C-17 Load Plan Guide

DD Form 2130-13: C-17 Load Plan Guide – DD Form 2130-13, titled C-17 Load Plan, is the official Department of Defense form used to document and plan the safe loading of cargo, vehicles, equipment, and passengers on the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. This form remains essential for US Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and joint mobility operations when automated systems are unavailable.

The current edition is dated June 2026 (previous editions obsolete) and is maintained by the Washington Headquarters Services Executive Services Directorate. It supports compliance with the Defense Transportation Regulation (DTR) 4500.9-R, Part III, Mobility.

What Is DD Form 2130-13?

DD Form 2130-13 is a two-page standardized load planning document specifically designed for the C-17 aircraft. It belongs to the DD Form 2130 series of aircraft load plans used across Air Mobility Command (AMC) platforms. The form captures unit information, mission details, a scaled diagram of the cargo compartment, dimensional and weight data, center-of-balance calculations, passenger seat planning, and formal certification by the load planner and validator.

According to the official DoD Forms Management Program, the form number is DD 2130-13 and the title is “C-17 Load Plan.” The most recent PDF version is available directly from the Executive Services Directorate.

Purpose of the C-17 Load Plan

The primary purpose of DD Form 2130-13 is to ensure safe, efficient, and balanced loading of the C-17 Globemaster III. Proper completion of the form helps prevent center-of-gravity violations, structural overloads, and unsafe passenger-cargo configurations. It also serves as the official record for loadmasters, aerial port personnel, and mission planners.

Key objectives include:

  • Documenting the exact placement and sequence of cargo items
  • Calculating planned versus actual weight and moment data
  • Recording passenger seat utilization and total weights
  • Providing a clear diagram (scale 1/4 inch = 3 feet) of the actual loadout
  • Certifying that the load meets all applicable safety and regulatory requirements

These requirements are mandated in the Defense Transportation Regulation Part III, Appendix V.

Key Sections of DD Form 2130-13

The form is organized into clearly labeled blocks:

  • Blocks 1–5: Unit being airlifted, Unit Identification Code (or ULN), type of movement plan, movement date, and unit aircraft load number (e.g., 3 of 12)
  • Blocks 6–10: Mission number, aircraft serial number, configuration, departure airfield, and destination airfield
  • Block 11 – Actual Loadout: Scaled diagram and detailed table with load sequence, item nomenclature, Transportation Control Number (TCN), remarks codes, dimensional data (length/width/height in inches), planned load data (gross weight, fuselage station, moment × 10,000), and actual load data
  • Block 12: Passenger seats planning data (number of seats, average weight, total planned weight)
  • Blocks 13–14: Total weight/moment calculations and load center-of-balance station
  • Blocks 15a–15b: Certification by the load planner and load plan validator, including typed name, grade, organization, date, and signature

A standardized remarks code legend appears on the form for quick reference (off-center loading, centerline loads, shoring requirements, hazardous materials, fuel levels, etc.).

How to Complete DD Form 2130-13?

Preparation instructions are detailed in DTR Part III, Appendix V. The form is intended for use when the Integrated Computerized Deployment System (ICODES) is unavailable. Follow these general steps:

  1. Enter unit and mission identification data in Blocks 1–10. Use Greenwich Mean Time (Zulu) for all dates and times.
  2. Complete the scaled diagram in Block 11, marking cargo positions accurately.
  3. List each item in load sequence (front to rear is the normal rule). Include model/nomenclature, TCN or serial number, and any required remarks codes.
  4. Record exact dimensions and calculate planned weight, fuselage station, and moment for every item.
  5. After physical loading, enter actual weights and moments and recompute the aircraft center of balance.
  6. Complete passenger planning data if seats are occupied.
  7. Have a certified load planner and a separate load plan validator sign and date the form.

Only personnel who have completed an authorized airlift planners course (AMC Affiliation, Army ADPC, or USMC equivalent) and maintain current certification may sign DD Form 2130-series load plans.

C-17 Aircraft Planning Data

Accurate load planning requires current C-17 capabilities. The following data are published in the Defense Transportation Regulation (as of the 12 June 2025 edition):

  • Maximum takeoff weight: 585,000 lbs
  • Normal operating weight: 276,000 lbs
  • Peacetime planning allowable cabin load (ACL): 130,000 lbs
  • Cargo compartment: 1,056 inches long × 216 inches wide × 148 inches high (162 inches aft of fuselage station 937)
  • Cargo area: Fuselage stations 347–1165 (main floor) and 1165–1403 (ramp)
  • Vehicle axle limits: 27,000–36,000 lbs depending on station
  • Palletized cargo (HCU-7/E or HCU-15/C nets): up to 10,355 lbs per position
  • Passenger capacity: up to 54 permanent seats + 48 centerline seats; maximum 102 passengers/paratroops over water

Always verify the latest figures in current technical orders and AFI 11-2C-17 series publications before finalizing any load plan.

When to Use DD Form 2130-13?

Use this form for any C-17 mission requiring a manual load plan, including:

  • Unit deployments and redeployments
  • Special Assignment Airlift Missions (SAAMs)
  • Contingency and exercise airlift
  • Humanitarian and disaster relief operations
  • Any situation in which ICODES or other automated tools are not accessible

The form may also be required as supporting documentation during joint inspections (DD Form 2133) and for station file retention.

Download Official DD Form 2130-13

Download the current, fillable official PDF directly from the Department of Defense Forms website:

Download DD Form 2130-13 – C-17 Load Plan (PDF)

Always obtain the form from the official source at https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/dd2000_2499/DD2130-13/ to ensure you have the latest edition. Third-party sites may host outdated or altered versions.

Related Resources and Regulations

Load planners should also consult these authoritative references:

Importance for US Military Air Mobility

Accurate completion of DD Form 2130-13 directly supports mission success and aircrew safety. Improper load planning can result in delayed missions, aircraft damage, or catastrophic in-flight emergencies. By following the standardized format and current C-17 data published by USTRANSCOM and the Air Force, mobility forces ensure that every C-17 mission meets the highest standards of operational readiness and safety required by the Department of Defense.

For questions regarding form use, contact the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment or your local aerial port / mobility force commander.