The West Virginia Air National Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg received its first C-17 transport as part of its transition from operating C-5As to the newer airlifter. The C-17 touched down at Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport on Sept. 25, according to a unit release. That was the same day that the unit flew its final training sortie with the C-5, states a separate release. “The C-17, it’s a great airplane,” said Col. Shaun Perkowski, 167th AW commander. “I know that [wing] members are excited to be moving to a weapons system with a strong future,” he added. The 167th AW is slated to take delivery of its full complement of eight C-17s by July 2015. The wing is scheduled to officially introduce the C-17 in early December and then commence C-17 flying operations in January. It’s been operating C-5As since March 2007. Its remaining C-5s are scheduled to depart by May 2015 for retirement in the Air Force’s aircraft boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
