What feature assists jumpers' safety during operations in a C-17?

Active caution lights are a crucial safety feature during airborne operations in a C-17. These lights provide visual alerts that enhance situational awareness for jumpers and crew members. They can indicate various stages of the jump sequence, ensuring that jumpers are aware of when it is safe to exit the aircraft. The use of active caution lights helps to standardize the procedure and minimizes the risk of errors that could occur in the chaos of a jump environment.

In contrast, features like jump platforms, automatic release systems, and coached static lines provide essential functions for the mechanics of the jump itself but do not specifically enhance safety through communication or alerts in the manner that active caution lights do. This makes active caution lights a vital part of safety protocols for jumpers as they prepare to deploy from the aircraft.