Dover welcomes the new C-5M

  • Published
  • By Col. David Hafer
  • 436th OG deputy commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Dover Air Force Base finds itself once again at the epicenter of aviation history. It seems like only yesterday we welcomed our final C-17 Globemaster III to the fold. As that chapter of our story ended the next chapter is about to be written. This Monday, Dover becomes Air Mobility Command's first base to receive the new C-5M Super Galaxy. Certainly, as our nation's strategic airlift capability continues to evolve, the men and women of both the Eagle Wing and Liberty Wing can take pride in knowing both units are at the forefront of this evolution. 

While at first glance the C-5M looks like any other C-5 gracing our ramp, nothing could be farther from the truth. The technological improvements throughout the airplane will increase the jet's reliability and capability. The Super Galaxy is the culmination of two different C-5 modification programs; the Avionics Modernization Program and the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program. These complementary modification efforts are expected to extend the life of the Air Force's C-5 fleet for at least another 30 years. The savings in operations and sustainment costs for the U.S. is projected to be in the billions of dollars. 

The most obvious upgrade to the "M" is new engines. The General Electric CF-6 will add an additional 10,000 lbs of thrust per engine. These new engines, plus another 70 enhancements throughout the aircraft, will improve Dover's ability to accomplish our mission of global reach. 

For the last six months, aircrews and maintainers from the Eagle and Liberty Wings have been preparing for Monday's arrival of our first C-5M. They've been engaged in flight training on actual M models, reviewing technical manuals, and conducting training with Lockheed Martin experts. These initial cadre members have worked closely to ensure when we take the keys to these new aircraft we are ready to put the Super Galaxy through its paces. The focus of this effort will be to prepare for the operational test and evaluation phase to be conducted at the end of this year. 

This Monday Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, commander of Air Mobility Command, will deliver the first of 18 C-5 M's scheduled for delivery to Dover. A few days later, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. William M. Fraser III, will deliver the second bird. Both of these are open to the base population. I would like to invite all of you to attend these historic events. 

Shortly after the fanfare fades away and ceremonies are over, Dover's "M" model aircrew members and maintainers will do what they have always done - quietly launch training sorties and missions. By the middle of the month when you look up in the skies over Dover AFB there will be a third strategic airlifter overhead ... the C-5M!