The Air Force plans, in January, to name a new-build C-17 the Spirit of Ronald Reagan. The aircraft will be dedicated at ceremonies in California. The first person honored with a C-17 dedication was Bob Hope, in recognition of his many years of entertaining troops overseas. USAF has named other C-17s for noteworthy individuals, such as Medal of Honor recipient Air Force Sgt. John L. Levitow, and for bases, cities, states, regions, and even groups, such as the Spirit of America’s Veterans, and concepts, such as Spirit of Freedom. Look here for a list of approved names for active duty C-17s.
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.