‘C’ the Galaxy

The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® facility in Palmdale, Calif., performed maintenance on one of just two C-5C Galaxy aircraft in the world in May 2013.  The C-5C features more cargo capacity than A & and B models due to removal of the entire passenger compartment. Each of the two C-5C aircraft is assigned to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and will eventually be modernized to become the C-5M Super Galaxy.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 118,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation’s net sales
for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

Today's Air Force visits the Boneyard, takes glimpse at aviation history (VIDEO)

Air Force Television News released a new, special edition of Today's Air Force on May 31.

Featured in this episode is a visit to the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., taking viewers for an inside look at what happens to Air Force planes after they've flown their last mission. Here, a dedicated team brings new life to old aircraft and retrieves aircraft parts for future use.

Then, Today's Air Force listens to the nostalgic stories of former Airmen who flew these planes decades ago and carry with them memories and stories of missions long past.

This 30-minute, bi-weekly news show can be seen every day on The Pentagon Channel and American Forces Television Service stations around the world. The show also airs on more than 140 public cable-access stations within the United States.

Today's Air Force: May 31, 2013

Edwards completes tests to extend KC-135

4/24/2013 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Known as "The Mighty War Wagon" of the Air Force, the KC-135 Stratotanker has proven to be the core aerial refueling capability for the Air Force for more than 50 years.

With the help of the 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards, along with a multitude of testers, the KC-135 Block 45 test team recently completed a series of tests in April to help extend the aircraft's service life for decades.

"There are currently 419 KC-135s and 59 KC-10s that enhance the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary mission of Global Reach while providing aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. These aircraft also provide mission support including cargo, aeromedical evacuation, personnel transport, and a variety of other specialized missions," said Maj. John Mikal, 418th FLTS KC-135 Block 45 lead project test pilot. "Increasing the life expectancy of the current Air Force tanker fleet is critical. Ongoing upgrade programs help to ensure there is no gap in these mission capabilities, while the new KC-46 program starts replacing the aging KC-135 fleet."

As part of the KC-135 Block 45 upgrades, Mikal said they included a digital flight director, a radar altimeter, an electronic engine instrument display, and Automatic Flight Control System or Autopilot for Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) requirements in order to maintain global airspace access.

The 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Wing refuels French Rafale fighter aircraft

The 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Wing refuels French Rafale fighter aircraft April 23, 2013 over Mali. The 351st’s Stratotankers have been flying refueling sorties for the French since Jan. 27, 2013, to allow their aircraft to fly close-air-support sorties for troops on the ground in Mali.

Fourth F-35A Lightning II arrives at Nellis

A Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, followed by a Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, flies over Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 24, 2013, prior to landing. The F-35 Lightning II is the fourth of four F-35s to arrive here.

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, flown by U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Rodger Hardy with Defense Contract Management Agency, arrives April 24, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The F-35A Lightning II is a single-seat, single engine, fifth generation, multirole fighter that’s able to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability.

The fourth F-35A Lightning II arrives April 24, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron will design the tactics for the F-35A through rigorous test flights over the Nevada Test and Training Range.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Rodger Hardy, Defense Contract Management Agency pilot, delivers the fourth F-35A Lightning II April 24, 2013, to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The aircraft’s modern engine delivers more than 60-percent more thrust than any other aircraft of the same weight.

Photo of the day : JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- An Air Force C-17 airdrops an Army Humvee into JBER's Malemute Drop Zone on April 17.

Ramstein Airmen train with Romanian counterparts

by Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/24/2013 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- More than 80 Airmen from Ramstein participated in exercise Carpathian Spring in Romania April 12 through 21.

The exercise was designed for aircrew to receive upgrade training as well as building partnership capacity with Romanians.

"Sequestration has forced us to be more efficient with our training funds and hours," said Capt. Michael Trimble, 37th Airlift Squadron C-130J Super Hercules aircraft commander. "We have come to Romania to maximize the training available to us. They have great airspace and terrain."

While in Romania, executing effective C-130J Super Hercules aircrew training was a priority.

"Aircrew conducted low-level flying and assault landings, while the 435th Contingency Response Group operated drop zones and manned foreign jumpers," said Capt. Bradley Buinicky, 86th Operations Support Squadron chief of current operations. "For members of the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, it gave them good exposure for doing their job in a different location."

Having been gone for more than a night required several Airmen from the 86th AMXS to ensure the aircraft were properly maintained.

"We were able to interact with the Romanians and see how they do things maintenance wise," said Senior Airman Sean Acebedo, 86th AMXS engine mechanic. "It was a good training mission for us to be able to support."

Romanian military members observed and became familiarized with maintenance, drop zone operations and pallet building, said Buinicky.

"This is our fifth year of training with the 37th [Airlift Squadron]," said Romanian Brig. Gen. Adrian Ciolponea, 6th Special Operation Brigade commander. "It's always a pleasure and we learn a lot from NCOs and officers, pilots and aircrew. They are all professionals in this job."

Condensing what would have been a month or two of training in Germany, the aircrew was able to get all the training needed in a little more than a week in Romania.

Six pilots were upgraded and two loadmasters met all qualifications to drop personnel during the training. Overall more than 250 Romanian paratroopers were airdropped, with about 350 night-vision goggle events over the course of the 10 days.

"It's going very well," said Trimble. "We have had excellent jumps, great training for the aircrew, the weather has been spectacular and the support from the Romanians has been very generous. We have nothing to complain about."

Langley F-22s, Airmen integrate with Kadena operations

F-22A Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, on July 28, 2012. The F-22's deployment is in support of the U.S. Pacific Commander's security obligations in the Western Pacific. The deployed unit will perform training under the direction of the 18th Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady/Released)

 
by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Coleman
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Kadena offers everything from aircraft hangars to radios, ensuring the 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Langley Air Force Base, Va., is fully able to integrate its F-22 Raptor squadron into daily operations here.

The fifth-generation aircraft's deployment to Kadena, which began earlier this year, not only signifies a continued commitment to regional stability and security, but also provides opportunities for both Kadena and Langley Airmen to learn about each other's aircraft in order to integrate operations enhancing Kadena's strategic position as the "Keytone of the Pacific."

Being familiar with other aircraft, its needs and limitations, as well as its capabilities is crucial to ensuring the mission is accomplished, no matter the location.

According to Lt. Col. Jason Hinds, 94th EFS commander, having the Raptors in the region is just one more step toward the U.S.'s strategic shift to the Asia-Pacific theater.

"It's important for the F-22 to deploy to Kadena for a few reasons," Hinds said. "The first is to give the pilots, the maintainers, and our entire team from Langley AFB the familiarity with the location and the airspace we would be flying in any kind of future contingency operations.

"The second part ... is our airplane is unique in the capabilities it brings to combatant commanders. The speed, the stealth, the supercruise, the maneuverability and the integrated avionics that the F-22s provide, give a unique capability ... especially in a highly contested environment," the colonel added.

"This integrated team puts air superiority on "steroids," and it's somewhat of a Yin-Yang relationship where Eagles make Raptors invisible, and Raptors make Eagles invincible," said Brig Gen Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander.

The deployment and integration into Kadena operations also provides maintenance Airmen the opportunity to become familiar with the fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

"We try to integrate our Airmen into their operations as much as we can ... to get them to understand what kind of challenges the F-22 brings with it," said Maj. Chris Smith, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintenance operations officer. "While it's cutting edge technology, that technology also changes the way we do business."

Differences could be as simple as changing a tire or a difference in terminology, so whether during a training day, down day or an Airman just being curious, leadership on both sides have taken every step to give their Airmen chances to work with the other aircraft since the 94th EFS's arrival on-island.

Senior Airman Jeffrey Hartman, 1st Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspection specialist deployed to support the 94th EFS, had little experience with the F-15s until this deployment.

"Getting to work on the F-15 (Eagle) is exciting because it's something new, something different," said Hartman. "A lot of the inspections are different and it helps us to challenge our minds and work on different things.

"Most NDI people are not aircraft specific, but once you work on one kind of airframe you typically stay with that type of aircraft - fighters stay with fighters, heavies stay with heavies," he said.

While deployed to Kadena, NDI Airmen join their counterparts in the Kadena NDI shop. They work together every day, every shift, to make sure operations are as cohesive as possible.

"When we forward deploy anywhere, the likelihood today is that our F-22 guys and our F-15 guys, maintenance and operations, are going to be operating together," said Smith. "If they don't know how to do that in practice, then it's going to be that much more difficult when the chaos and fog of war comes down."

Cooperation from personnel in every aspect -- mission planning, mission execution, aircraft maintenance and daily operations, is vital to making sure the 94th EFS is always ready to accomplish the mission.

"Without the 18th Wing, we wouldn't be able to execute our mission on a day-to-day basis," said Hinds.

Forward basing of assets gives the U.S. Pacific Command the ability to respond rapidly to any contingency, anywhere in the theater in minimal time, and also underscores the U.S. commitment to ensuring stability and security in the Pacific region.

Recent Release : Air to Air refueling

Staff Sgt. Sherwin Carino, 349th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, guides a boom into an aerial refueling receptacle of another KC-135 Stratotanker, April 18, 2013, over Arizona. The KC-135 can transfer 5,000 pounds of fuel per minute

Southwest Asia airfield operations April 21, 2013

An Air Mobility Command C-17 Globemaster III deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del. kicks up sand as it taxis down the runway at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing

 The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force and is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.

An Air Mobility Command C-17 Globemaster III deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del. taxis down the runway at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia

An Air Mobility Command C-17 Globemaster III deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del. taxis down the runway at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia

An Air Mobility Command C-17 Globemaster III deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del. taxis down the runway at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia

Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Brown IV and his wife, Sue S. Brown, were killed April 19, when the Cessna 210 he was piloting crashed in Williamsburg, Va

4/20/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Brown IV and his wife, Sue S. Brown, were killed April 19, when the Cessna 210 he was piloting crashed in Williamsburg, Va. General Brown has been the commandant of The Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in Washington D.C. since October 2010.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Brown and his wife, Sue. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends, and the members of the National Defense University as they come to terms with the tragedy. Joe and Sue dedicated their lives in service to our nation and their loss will be felt across our Air Force and joint team." - Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Mark A. Welsh III

Brown has served in the Air Force since 1980. During his 33 years of service, Brown flew more than 4,300 hours in B-1 and B-2 aircraft and commanded a bombardment squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and both a group and wing at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. Before his assignment to the National Defense University, Brown was the deputy director for nuclear operations with the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Neb.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress April 16 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for 1 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress April 16 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for 1 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $371 million.

The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of 1 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, 4 turbofan F117-PW-100 Engines, 1 AN/AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System, 1 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Set (CMDS), secure radios, precision navigation equipment, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, tactics manuals, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, aircraft ferry support, aircraft fuel, and technical and logistics support services; and related elements of initial and follow-on logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $371 million.

The Air Force's last four MC-130E Combat Talon I's spread their wings for a final mission from their home at Duke Field

Air Force Combat Talons fly for last time

DUKE FIELD, Fla. -

The Talons will be officially retired in a ceremony at Duke Field April 25 and the aircraft will then be flown to the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. April 25 commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the Desert One mission to free the Iranian hostages - several of the MC-130Es at Duke Field took part in that mission.

"This is an emotional and historic day for the airmen of the 919th Special Operations Wing," said Col. Andy Comtois, 919th SOW commander. "Since our inception, the 919 SOW has primarily been a C-130 wing and, for almost 20 years, a Combat Talon wing. We will miss these great war birds."

Nellis AFB pilots fly their first operational F-35 mission

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Benjamin Bishop, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron director of operations, inspects the exhaust of an F-35A Lightning II before a training mission

 NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Two F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here conducted the aircraft's first operational flights from Nellis AFB.

These historic flights came less than a month after the March 19 arrival ceremony for the aircraft, but members of the 57th Maintenance Group's Lightning Aircraft Maintenance Unit and the 422nd TES have prepared for years to make the transition of the F-35A to Nellis AFB a smooth one.

"It's been a long time coming, and the level of effort by all those involved with getting to this point has been nothing short of astounding," said Capt. Brad Matherne, the 422 TES F-35 division commander, and one of the first pilots to conduct this operational flight at Nellis AFB. "Now we can get down to the business of what Nellis (AFB) does best; the development of tactics."

Range Squadron provides realistic training

Range Squadron provides realistic training
366th Fighter Wing


MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho  - While flying low in order to drop a training round on a target, aircrew suddenly perform evasive maneuvers due to the training flare that emerges from a concealed position.

Airmen from the 266th Range Squadron have been using GTR-18 Smokey Sam training rockets to assist aircrew with safe, realistic training.

"We provide a realistic, high-density electronic threat environment and visual projectile cueing to assist in training aircrew on multiple situations they will see in real-world combat," said Tech Sgt. Ronald Warren, 266th RANS ground radar systems craftsman. "We simulate missiles, guns and ground personnel threats during missions, giving pilots additional threats to engage, maneuver and destroy. It also helps them ensure all their combat systems inside their aircraft are functioning properly."

Pilots conduct first external lift from USNS Sacagawea

Pilots conduct first external lift from USNS Sacagawea
III Marine Expeditionary Force / Marine Corps Installations Pacific

SUBIC BAY, Philippines – U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey pilots conducted the first external lift of a Humvee from the USNS Sacagawea April 11 during exercise Freedom Banner 2013 at Subic Bay, Philippines.

U.S. Marines, sailors and civilians aboard the Sacagawea watched as the Osprey lifted the Humvee for the first time off the ship in order to demonstrate its capabilities and plan future lift operations from ship to shore.
   
The Osprey pilots, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force conducted the lift with landing support specialists with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF.