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.
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.
