Although the Pentagon’s new Aviation Investment Plan doesn’t anticipate buying any new strategic airlifters for at least a dozen years, it’s likely that the C-17 fleet may be enhanced or life-extended during that period, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said in an interview. “I’m sure we will do things to the C-17 … [to] maintain its viability,” he said. The fleet will need to be “tidied up, particularly those that were bought in the mid-90s, no question.” However, Schwartz doesn’t see any need to “stretch” any C-17s, “particularly given the performance of the RERP program for the C-5,” which is installing new engines and a variety of other life-extension modifications. (RERP stands for reliability enhancement and re-engining program.) (Also see Aviation Plan, Not a Contract)
Upon assuming his new post, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Wolfe prioritized high standards while pledging to ensure Airmen, of all specialties, get the equipment they need to project U.S. airpower.
