Reservists Get New Bird

Air Force Reserve Command’s 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott AFB, Illinois, has received the first of three new Boeing C-40C executive transports, which will augment the wing’s C-9C VIP aircraft. In a ceremony at Scott, Lt. Gen. John Bradley, AFRC commander, said the C-40 has “a phenomenal capability and is a dream to fly.” He also noted that it would expand the flexibility of the unit with its ability to fly missions of 10 or more hours. A Boeing statement highlighted the leverage the company got off its commercial 737 investment in producing the airframe quickly, then modifying it for AFRC use. The 737-700 derivative C-40C has military avionics on its commercial flight deck, interior rewiring to accommodate satellite communications equipment for passengers, 40 business class seats, two work areas with conference tables. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Sen. Dick Durbin (D), Rep. Jerry Costello (D), and Rep. John Shimkus (R) joined forces to secure the $265.3 million needed fund the new aircraft and to maintain the C-9.