For C-17 Backers, a Cold Giambastiani Shower:
Those who want to expand USAF’s C-17 fleet have been giddy recently, given newfound support in the Senate (DR 11/11/05) and Defense Science Board (DR 11/15/05). They are more sober now, deflated by remarks from the JCS Vice Chairman, Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, Jr. He didn’t see a need to go beyond the 180 C-17s already approved. He said “we have a very capable and adequate airlift fleet,” and will continue to have one in the future “if we maintain … the programs that we currently have funded.” Giambastiani based his view on the classified Mobility Capabilities Study.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
