Martinsburg Gets First C-17

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.