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Construction begins on Lackland C-5 Galaxy schoolhouse

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Simmons
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Contractors began breaking ground June 27 to build facilities that will allow the C-5 Formal Training Unit to move from Altus AFB, Okla., to its future home here at the Air Force Reserve Command’s 433rd Airlift Wing.

The on-going commotion near the flight line signals the first stages of a new era. Two new buildings are planned – a three-story, 69,000 square-foot ground training school and a 25,000 square-foot flight training school.

Both facilities received a combined, single-contract bid costing about $17 million. The contractor should complete the projects by September 2006.

“Ground breaking was postponed for about three months while we waited for the BRAC decisions,” said Lt. Col. Richard Matthews, 433rd Civil Engineering Squadron commander. “We’re going to try to make up for lost time and finish it in 15 months rather than 18.”

The new schools will train pilots, flight engineers and loadmasters in C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft operations. Academics and flight simulator training are just some of the items that will be taught at the Ground Training School. The Flight Training School will teach all initial and instructor qualifications as well as aerial refueling training.

Instructors at the GTS will also teach the Basic Flight Engineer course for C-130 and KC-10 flight engineer candidates. The 433rd AW will not receive any additional aircraft and will remain at its current inventory of 16 C-5s, according to Lt. Col. Frederick McMahon, chief of the 433rd Operations Group’s Standardization and Evaluation.

Although no roads will close, there will be a reduction in the number of convenient parking spaces for those who work in the area.

“As construction begins, personnel should remember safety,” said Col. John Fobian, 433rd AW commander said. “There are no plans to close Galaxy Road, but everyone should be aware of heavy construction equipment frequently traveling along the flight line road.”

The Army Corps of Engineers is administering the project, and the 37th Training Wing and 433rd AW are providing base and user oversight.

“We want to make sure the schoolhouse conforms to base standards and that it will meet our needs,” Colonel Matthews said.

According to Colonel McMahon, students will begin attending ground and flying training here in October 2006. The transition of students from Altus to Lackland will be gradual, culminating in July 2007. At that time the 433rd AW will assume total training responsibility for about 650 students per year here with about 150 on campus in various stages of training on any given training day.

The Alamo Wing will add approximately 155 new full-time positions to staff the new mission as well as about 100 contractors and 130 traditional reservists.

“The advent of the C-5 schoolhouse will begin a whole new era for the 433rd,” Col. Fobian said. “It will bring Airmen from every active duty, Air National Guard and Reserve C-5 unit to the Alamo Wing for all facets of aircrew training.”