The last C-5A Galaxy to be flown by the 433rd Airlift Wing at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, departed its base last week. The 433rd AW began flying the C-5A in December 1984, but is switching out the aircraft with the upgraded C-5M, according to a 433rd AW release. The Alamo Wing became the Air Force’s first and only Reserve wing to receive the Super Galaxy when its first, dubbed the City of San Antonio, touched down in June. The fleet will include a total of eight aircraft by late 2018. The Wing’s aircrews are training to fly the M Model at the Formal Training Unit.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.