The Spirit of the Blue Hen Continues

Dover AFB, Del., received its 11th C-5M Super Galaxy on June 21. Maj. Gen. Craig Gourley, vice commander for the Air Force Reserve Command, flew the newly modernized aircraft alongside pilots of the 709th Airlift Squadron from Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Ga., facility on June 21. It was the first time an all Reserve crew delivered a C-5M to Dover, states the June 24 release. “From the Reserve perspective, today’s delivery was nostalgic for our unit,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Egan, one of the pilots with the 709th AS. During World War II, the then 709th Bombardment Squadron flew B-17s, including one aircraft dubbed “Blue Hen Chick.” Later, a C-5B assigned to Dover had the name “Spirit of the Blue Hen.” This latest C-5M carries on Blue Hen tradition. Dover will receive seven more C-5Ms.