Wrenching Transition

Tennessee Air National Guard C-5 Galaxy maintainers are training with C-17 technicians at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., in preparation for the Tennesseans’ transition to the Globemaster III. “Our goal is to help them reach ‘operational status’ and perform real-world missions for the Air Force,” said SMSgt. Mark Cherrix, a superindendent with Air Force Reserve Command’s 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at McChord, in a Sept. 5 base release. “I have no doubt they will leave McChord better equipped,” he added. A dozen Tennessee Air Guardsmen from the 164th AMXS are currently at McChord learning “to perform hands-on tasks so we can return to our home station and train other crew chiefs on the C-17 systems,” explained crew chief MSgt. Todd Jones. The 164th Airlift Wing at Memphis ANG Base is slated to receive eight C-17s to replace its current C-5A fleet next fiscal year. (McChord report by TSgt. Elizabeth Moody)