Michael Gilmore, the Pentagon’s director of operational test and evaluation, accompanied Maj. Gen. Stephen Sargeant, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center boss, on a test sortie of one of the Air Force’s newly upgraded C-5M transport aircraft Dec. 7 at Dover AFB, Del. Sargeant had invited Gilmore to come along to see first-hand how AFOTEC is conducting operational test and evaluation of the new C-5M variant that features new avionics and engines. “It was a terrific trip and a chance to see a great group of professionals,” said Gilmore, who had the chance to talk directly with C-5M aircrew and maintainers to get their candid feedback regarding the aircraft’s new capabilities. As part of the ongoing evaluations, Air Force testers recently completed a month’s worth of surge operations flying the C-5M from Dover to Incirlik AB, Turkey. (Kirtland report by Katherine C. Gandara)
The Air Force won’t finalize a new deal with Boeing for another 75 KC-46 tankers until some of the “deficiencies” with the refueler are resolved, new Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. Lamontagne told lawmakers March 4.