The Air Force’s second-to-last factory-fresh C-17 transport arrived at JB Charleston, S.C. This airframe is the 222nd C-17 that manufacturer Boeing has supplied to the service. Airmen of Charleston’s 437th Airlift Wing and Air Force Reserve Command’s 315th AW will operate the aircraft as part of the base’s 52-airplane C-17 force. Members of the 315th AW ferried the airplane to Charleston from Boeing’s assembly plant in Long Beach, Calif., on May 30, according to a base release. Also on board the C-17 were Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, Air Mobility Command vice commander, and Lt. Gen. Mark Ramsay, the Joint Staff’s director of force structure, resources, and assessment. The Air Force’s previous C-17—the 221st off the line—arrived at Charleston on April 25. The Air Force is expected to receive its final C-17 on order later this year. (Charleston report by Michael Dukes)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.