Team Dover Airmen rescue stranded C-5

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Aaron J. Jenne
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover came together to assist a 9th Airlift Squadron aircrew and C-5M Super Galaxy, Dec. 5, 2017, after encountering an undocumented taxiway obstruction that blocked their path at Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin.

Upon hearing of the situation, Airmen from the 9th Airlift Squadron, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, Current Operations and vehicle maintainers from the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron all worked hand-in-hand to prepare for a rescue mission that would occur Dec. 7.

“Team Dover did what they always do, get the mission done! Despite unforeseen circumstances, the Proud Pelicans averted an aircraft mishap and preserved combat capability through professionalism and diligence. The entire base stepped up to quickly assemble the experts and required tools to get the tail back into the fight,” said Lt. Col. Charles Throckmorton, 9th Airlift Squadron commander. “It was an awesome display of teamwork and professionalism.”

According to the 9th AS, the aircraft, inbound from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, was delayed due to a last-minute added stop to meet customs requirements. Weather then forced the aircraft to land on a runway not typically used. The download of cargo went well, but due to the extended duty day, it was dark at the time of departure.

“After a thorough review of all available resources and planning documents, including speaking with airfield management, the crew started taxiing for Runway 21 via Bravo Taxiway,” confirms the official narrative. “As they approached Runway 21 on the parallel taxiway, it became apparent that there was an obstacle consisting of a building over 6 feet tall and a tower that appeared to be between 30-50 feet tall. Both were well inside the aircraft wingtip clearance.”

One of the crew members noticed the obstruction dimly lit by the aircraft taxi lights, and subsequent measurements indicated the Super Galaxy could not avoid the obstacle from where it was. The C-5 was stranded on a taxiway in Wisconsin.

“Operating the C-5 is a total team effort with three crew positions, often with a dozen or more crew members. Everyone needs to work together to accomplish the mission,” said Maj. Kyle Bateman, 9th AS aircraft commander. “Because of the size of our aircraft, taxiing is one of the more challenging things that we do. It speaks to the professionalism of the crew that even at the end of a long duty day, the crew remained vigilant and spotted the obstacle, preventing a bad situation from developing.”

“My first call was to my squadron leadership to inform them about our situation,” Bateman said. “Rather than second guessing our actions, they immediately started working to find a solution to get our aircraft moved so we could finish our mission. It is a great reminder that our leadership from the squadron all the way up to the wing is ready and willing to support their crews when things don’t go as planned.”

As soon as Team Dover was notified of the situation, everyone started scrambling to bring the trapped bird home.

Vehicle maintainers from the 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron inspected a U-30 Aircraft Tow Tractor and made it ready for flight. Members of the 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 436th Aerial Port Squadron planned and loaded the tow tractor and the tow bar. The 436th Operations Group Current Operations team quickly teamed up with the 436th Maintenance Group to create a training mission to fly the required personnel and equipment to the Wisconsin airport the next morning.

On the morning of Dec. 7, another 9th AS C-5M left Dover AFB with the 109,000 pound U-30 and tow bar, and a 10-Airman team. They unloaded the equipment and pushed the aircraft all the way down the taxiway, back to the Air National Guard Ramp. Once complete, the crew loaded the tow tractor and tow bar onto the C-5 they had just moved. Later that evening, the C-5 returned home.

According to the narrative, within 48 hours, Air Mobility Command staff issued a Notice to Airmen, an Instrument Flight Rules Supplement and a Giant Report identifying the hazard.

At the end of the day, a bad situation was avoided, Team Dover returned the C-5 to the fight, and airfield information was updated command-wide.

“I couldn’t be more proud to be a member of Team Dover,” said Throckmorton. “Every part of our wing’s mission is challenging and things don’t always go as planned, but our ability to work together and overcome those challenges is what makes us the best wing in the Air Force.”