News

Spirit of the Constitution completes first test flight

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Chris Sukach
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The first C-17 Globemaster III slated for assignment to Dover AFB, the Spirit of the Constitution, completed its first test flight May 14 in Long Beach, Calif.

Air Force and Boeing experts completed a series of checks during the flight as part of the final-inspection procedures required to be completed before the aircraft arrives at Dover AFB in a ceremony slated for June 4.

Additionally, a team of technicians from the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings are also performing an acceptance inspection of the aircraft at the Boeing C-17 production facility, Long Beach, Calif.

Through May 31, the team of Dover technicians will inspect the entire aircraft, verify its weight and balance, and review the records of the jet before officials accept the aircraft for delivery to Dover AFB.

The aircraft's name was chosen to honor Delaware and its position as the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

The Spirit of the Constitution is the first of 13 C-17s the base is scheduled to receive by the end of 2008. The C-17s will compliment the 18 C-5s currently stationed at Dover AFB.