The Air Force took delivery of its 14th C-5M Super Galaxy airlifter, announced prime contractor Lockheed Martin. An Air Force crew flew this airplane, tail number 86-0017, on Dec. 5 from the company’s manufacturing facility in Marietta, Ga., to Stewart ANGB, N.Y., where it will undergo internal paint restoration, according to the company’s release. From there, the C-5M will move to Dover AFB, Del., where it will serve with the 436th Airlift Wing, which operates a C-5 force there, along with Air Force Reserve Command’s 512th AW. This is the second C-5M that has joined the fleet in the past several weeks; the previous one, tail number 85-0004, arrived at Dover on Nov. 21. In all, Lockheed Martin is upgrading 52 C-5s to the Super Galaxy standard. This configuration includes new engines and numerous reliability and performance enhancements, along with new cockpit avionics. All 52 C-5Ms are expected in the fleet by 2017, according to the company.
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.