The last active duty C-9 Nightingale left Ramstein AB on Sept. 20 for its permanent home at Andrews AFB, Md., where it will be added to the base’s air museum collection. The aircraft is a modified DC-9 that entered service in 1971 as an aeromedical aircraft and also flew operational and dignitary airlift missions. The Nightingale has been in line for retirement since 2003, due to its short range capability, and it was too noisy to meet noise restrictions at many airports.
In an effort to improve connectivity aboard Air Force tanker and mobility aircraft, the Pentagon’s commercial technology innovation unit wants a system to install new applications on aircraft, such as a moving map display that helps aircrew see through the fog of war.
