C-17 conversion preparation continues at wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  A team of experts is now set up in the wing's program integration office as part of vast C-17 Globemaster III preparations at the 445th Airlift Wing and things are moving along.

"The conversion process is very dynamic and moving fast," said Lt. Col. David Marlin, C-17 Program Integration Office chief here. "There are many folks in the wing who are working very hard to ensure that we have everything we need to support the C-17 mission way into the future."

The C-17 is replacing the wing's current C-5 mission. The experts working for the conversion are from a variety of career fields: operations; maintenance and logistics; facilities and representatives from Boeing.

"The original program was four C-17s to start arriving in [the spring of next year] and to start losing the first five of our 10 C-5s," said Colonel Marlin. "We are still on track to do that. Our hopes are that we can deliver the first C-17s in April so that we can start flying in support of our initial pilot and loadmaster qualification training."

Colonel Marlin said it's fortunate the wing's current facilities only need minor  modifications to support the new mission.

"The new C-17 mission requirements include assault landings, night vision device approach and landing training, and low levels. We'll continue to do the air refueling mission, also," he said.

The wing's senior leadership is excited about the future.

"We are looking forward and moving on schedule," said Col. Stephen Goeman, 445th AW commander. "My request continues to be for all wing Airmen to remain focused on the current mission, get excited about the transition to the future mission and get ready for the effort needed for the new and exciting mission."

Colonel Marlin shares the sentiments. "The new flying mission is going to be exciting as we add on new capabilities with the highly reliable C-17 aircraft," he said. "Our flying hour program is really going to ramp up. We'll be flying more hours and missions with fewer aircraft than we had in the C-5. I'm not sure what our AMC mission taskings will look like but the 445th AW has always had a great reputation and I expect AMC to keep us busy."